Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has pointed out that the Indian team will expect Rishabh Pant to get some runs under his belt in the fourth T20I against South Africa. The match will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, June 17.
Indian skipper Rishabh Pant has had an underwhelming run so far in the series. In three matches he has managed to score 40 runs at an average of 13.33. Except for the first T20I, where he scored 29 runs off 16 balls, Rishabh hasn’t been able to make much of an impact.
In a video on Aakash Chopra’s Youtube Channel, the former India cricketer highlighted Rishabh Pant’s performance. He expressed that the team will want Rishabh to score a few runs in the fourth T20I. Aakash said,
“Rishabh Pant is the big question. He will have to score a few more runs. He played a slightly significant knock in the first match, short but quick, which did the job but after that, he hasn’t really looked the same Rishabh Pant. Interestingly, he is a class player in Tests but it keeps going up and down for him in T20s.”
The former India cricketer further expresses that the focus will be on Ishan Kishan in the upcoming match. Ishan is the leading run-scorer in the series so far. He has scored 164 runs in three matches at an average of 54.67, including a couple of half-centuries.
“Ishan Kishan will be once again in focus because he has continuously played very well in this series till now. The fourth innings could be an interesting one because four continuous incredible knocks do not come always,” said Aakash Chopra.
He was absolutely sensational: Aakash Chopra praises Ruturaj Gaikwad’s knock in the third T20I
Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad played an impactful knock of 57 runs off 35 balls against South Africa in the third T20I. His knock included seven boundaries and two sixes and came at a strike rate of 162.86. Praising Gaikwad’s knock, Aakash Chopra expressed that the right-hander was sensational. He said,
“Ruturaj Gaikwad played beautifully in the previous game. I thought he was absolutely sensational. The Anrich Nortje over in which five fours were hit, one ball hit him on his head as well, but he played really well. He didn’t get flustered, the pickup shots were very beautiful. The pitches on the western side suit him.”
Aakash Chopra also spoke about Shreyas Iyer, who has had a decent series but hasn’t been able to convert his starts. The former cricketer expressed that he does not see any other change in the batting attack.
“Shreyas Iyer would be actually hoping to get a big one. Hardik Pandya, of course, is batting well. I don’t see any other change in the batting, Dinesh Karthik is also going to be there here,” said Aakash Chopra.
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