How can Rishabh Pant walk into Indian Team for T20 World Cup? Former India player reveals

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Rishabh Pant will be hoping to end his long injury hiatus and take to the field in the next few months.

The Indian wicketkeeper is recovering from a near-fatal accident which took place at the flag end of 2022, and has been out of action for more than a year. He underwent several surgeries but is currently coming back to full fitness.

The southpaw is training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru under the observation of BCCI's medical team, and is expected to be available for selection in a few months.

But will Rishabh Pant be making a return to the Indian team as soon as the T20 World Cup in June? That remains a big question, but former India player Sanjay Manjrekar has a clear answer to that.

Manjrekar believes Rishabh Pant will be certain to play in the T20 World Cup if he takes part in the IPL 2024 season.

"Rishabh Pant surely walks into the Indian side if he is fit and is able to play the full IPL season," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.

Pant has been included in the Delhi Capitals squad for the upcoming IPL season and is set to play some part in the tournament. It is to be seen how his fitness stands before the start of IPL, which is still more than two months to go.

The former India player also believes Ishan Kishan should be the no. 1 choice as keeper if Pant is not fit. He stressed the importance of a left-handed opener in the team and that elevates Kishan higher in the pecking order.

India start their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 as they take on Ireland. The Men in Blue are in Group A along with Ireland, USA, Canada and arch-rivals Pakistan.