Kolkata
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Rishabh Pant is on his way to becoming an all-time great in Test cricket but at the same time he needs to improve his performance in the shorter formats.
Pant has been included in the Indian Test team for the first time after being injured in a car accident in December 2022 and is expected to be included in the playing XI for the first Test match against Bangladesh starting in Chennai from September 19.
Pant had returned to the limited-overs format earlier this year and performed well in it.
Ganguly said during a promotional event here, “I consider Rishabh Pant to be one of the best Test batsmen of India. I am not surprised by his return to Test cricket. He will continue to play Test cricket for India.”
He said, “If he continues to perform like this, he will be included among the all-time great players of Test cricket. I believe he needs to perform better in shorter formats. He is talented and I am sure he will be able to do so soon.”
Mohammed Shami was not included in the squad due to an ankle operation but Ganguly is confident that the fast bowler will be fully fit before the Australia tour later this year.
He said, “I know Mohammed Shami is not in the team due to injury but he will return soon as India has to tour Australia. India’s attack is very good right now.”
Ganguly said, “I am looking forward to India’s tour of Australia. The real test of the team will be there. After this, the team has to tour England in July and both these tours will be very important. The presence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj and the return of Shami will strengthen the Indian fast bowling attack then.”
Bangladesh recently defeated Pakistan on its home ground but Ganguly believes that it will be very difficult to defeat India.
He said, ”It is not easy to defeat Pakistan on its soil, so congratulations to the Bangladesh players. But the Indian team is different and it performs well both at home and abroad and its batting unit is very strong.”
This former captain said, “I don’t think Bangladesh will be able to win here. India will win the series. But India may get a tough challenge from Bangladesh because they are coming here with confidence after defeating Pakistan.”
Ganguly said about Pakistan cricket that there is a real lack of talent there.
He said, “I see a real lack of talent in Pakistan. Whenever we think of Pakistan, we remember Miandad, Wasim, Waqar, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yusuf and Younis Khan. Now it does not have such talent. People associated with Pakistan cricket have to pay attention to this.
