Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant recently shared a lighthearted moment with former head coach Ravi Shastri at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Pant was present at the venue with the Indian squad for the first ODI against England, while Shastri was there as part of the broadcast team.
Pant did not feature in the playing XI, as the team management opted for KL Rahul as the designated wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order. A video posted by X user (@Ctrlmemes_) provided a glimpse of Pant’s activities on the field while on the sidelines.
The clip showed Pant catching up with Shastri, who had previously served as India’s head coach before Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid. You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/ctrlmemes_/status/1887720826738544676?s=46
“I Want That X-Factor” – Subramaniam Badrinath Picks Between Pant & Rahul for India’s XI
Former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath recently backed Rishabh Pant over KL Rahul for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role in India’s ODI playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He acknowledged Rahul’s strong performances in the position but favored Pant for his X-factor. While speaking on Star Sports, Badrinath stated:
“There is one more spot, which is between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. I still think it’s a 50-50 decision. Yes, KL Rahul has done well and he has been in good form, but I want that X-factor. I am a big fan of Rishabh Pant. I think Rishabh Pant is a future captain in multiple formats.”
He further continued:
“I don’t know which formats, definitely in Test cricket, but then going on probably in white-ball cricket as well. So I want to give an extended rope to Rishabh Pant, being a left-hander and the X-factor that he brings in. That’s what you need. That’s what happened. The X-factor was missing in the World Cup final.”
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