Former Team India cricketer Suresh Raina has named wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as his favourite player after India’s recent Test series in Sri Lanka. The former CSK cricketer praised the left-hander’s X-factor and backed him to overcome his current struggles and return to India’s limited-overs teams.
Team India, led by Shubman Gill, secured a 1-0 win in the recent two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Pant scored 168 runs in three innings at an impressive average of 56.00, including two half-centuries. He remains an important part of India’s Test setup but has not played an ODI or T20I since 2024.
Speaking on a podcast with former India batter Aakash Chopra, Suresh Raina named Rishabh Pant as his favorite player. Raina also suggested that Pant needs to figure out a few things and work with a good mentor to get the best out of himself.
“He has worked hard. I am very happy. Everyone does well, but he is one of the best. He is my favorite player. He is scoring a lot in Tests. He has that X factor. I think he will mature in white-ball and IPL as well. He has done really well," Raina said.
"I don't know why he is not there in one-day cricket. Maybe he is still searching for things. He needs to figure it out. Sometimes players have that blockage. If he tries and spends time with someone, he can. Let him be free. He can achieve a lot. His time will come,” Raina said.
Pant has established himself as an important part of India’s Test team despite his absence from the limited-overs setup. He has scored 3,725 runs in 52 Tests at an average of 43.82, with eight centuries and 21 half-centuries.
Suresh Raina Urges Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Play Tests
Suresh Raina also urged young India stars such as Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi to consider playing Test cricket. Both batters have made a name for themselves in T20 cricket, but Raina stated that they should also focus on the longest format.
“I feel Abhishek Sharma should play Test cricket. Vaibhav is very young. Does he want to play? What do his coaches think? These are questions. I feel he should play. Are the IPL owners and associations also thinking of this and putting Test cricket in players' minds? Coaches also have a role here,” Raina said.
Abhishek Sharma has scored 1,071 runs in 24 first-class matches at an average of 30.60, including one century and five half-centuries. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, meanwhile, has scored 347 runs in 10 first-class matches at an average of 23.13, with two half-centuries.
Rishabh Pant Stars in India’s Sri Lanka Test Series
Rishabh Pant finished the Sri Lanka tour among India’s standout performers. He scored 168 runs from three innings at an average of 56.00, with two half-centuries as India secured a 1-0 series win.
Pant also added several records to his name during the series. He went past MS Dhoni’s tally to become India’s highest-scoring wicketkeeper-batter in away or neutral Tests, reaching 2,534 runs from 36 matches in away conditions, including six centuries.
The left-hander then overtook Shubman Gill on the World Test Championship run charts. Pant has scored 2,948 runs in 42 WTC matches at an average of 42.11, with six centuries and 11 half-centuries.
Pant’s aggressive approach also helped him reach another milestone. He became the first Indian batter to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket. Virender Sehwag is at the second place with 91 maximums.
Also read: “Hookah pee ke aa raha hoon” - MS Dhoni’s comment to Rishabh Pant goes viral
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