Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
 

T20 World Cup: Ajinkya Rahane backs impact player Hardik Pandya, terms Rishabh Pant a 'game changer'

Team India's vice-captain in Tests Ajinkya Rahane has backed star all-rounder Hardik Pandya saying the Baroda cricketer prove to be an impact player for India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

T20 World Cup: Ajinkya Rahane backs impact player Hardik Pandya, terms Rishabh Pant a game changer

Dubai, Oct 22: Team India's vice-captain in Tests Ajinkya Rahane has backed star all-rounder Hardik Pandya saying the Baroda cricketer prove to be an impact player for India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The right-handed batsman from Mumbai has also claimed that young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will be a 'game changer' for the side in the showpiece event.

Rahane has even requested the team to rally around the injury-ravaged cricketer whose role as a bowler is uncertain due to fitness issues. There has been a lot of debate regarding Pandya's inclusion in the squad as he did not bowl in the recently-concluded IPL 2021 and even during the warm-up matches against England and Australia.

T20 World Cup biggest responsibility of career; Dhoni is life coach and brother: Hardik PandyaT20 World Cup biggest responsibility of career; Dhoni is life coach and brother: Hardik Pandya

The team management has, time and again, stressed the importance of Hardik's bowling to the side's overall balance. "We need to support him. When a player comes back from an injury, we don't know what situation he goes through and what is his mindset. It is easy to talk from outside, but what that individual is going through, we can't even feel it," said Rahane said on 'Salaam Cricket 2021' on Sports Tak.

T20 World Cup 2021: India vs Pakistan: Legends pick their X-factors for India ahead of mother of all battlesT20 World Cup 2021: India vs Pakistan: Legends pick their X-factors for India ahead of mother of all battles

"He has won India many matches in this format with some impactful performances. There will always be outside news, who should play and who shouldn't. Hardik's role is very crucial and we need to back him."

Speaking about his IPL team Delhi Capitals' skipper Pant, Rahane said, "He is such a batsman who can change the complexion of the game immediately. We have seen his ability in Australia in Tests, also against England, he scored runs. He has improved his game immensely. He now knows how to take his game one notch above."

The Virat Kohli-led Indian side's World cup campaign opens with a clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (October 24).

Rahane also predicted that dew would play a major role in the T20 World Cup, just like it did in the IPL, making toss a crucial aspect of the game. India are playing all their games in the evening and coach Ravi Shastri has stated that dew would decide whether the bowling attack will feature an extra pacer or spinner.

"Dew factor didn't matter in the initial period but it started to make a mark in the finishing stages (during IPL) as the weather started to change a bit," Rahane recalled. "It came down hard in the final few games, especially in Sharjah, where the toss became very important because of the dew.

"The ball will grip on the UAE wickets which are a bit slow. Batsmen found it difficult to play scoring shots but that changed a bit because of the dew factor. The toss will be very important because of the dew factor."

Talking about India's chances, Rahane said: "India has a strong team, it is a plus point that IPL was held here, the weather is also getting better...I hope we win the World Cup. Our team has a good balance.."

"Pakistan players have played a lot of cricket in the UAE. There is not much difference in conditions here and in India, so we know how to adapt to the conditions. "All other players, including batters and bowlers, who have played in the IPL, they too have an advantage because they have played here. We always respect the opposition and this T20 team would show the same respect to the Pakistan team as (it shows) to any other opposition."

It will be a swansong event for Kohli as captain and Rahane said the team will try to win the trophy for him. "I don't think there will be any pressure. He has captained the side for so many years and we know his record... All the players will try to win it for Kohli. We also have (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni as a mentor, his presence will help the team."

Probed further on how Dhoni's presence will help, Rahane said: "See, he has captained India for so many years and he has captained CSK also all these years, his experience in this format... we know how good a captain he is, how sharp he is."

"He doesn't speak much but shares some small important points which will help the team. He doesn't complicate things, keeps it simple." India have a lot of options in the opening slot with Kohli too expressing his desire to take the slot during the England series. Rahane said flexibility will be the key.

"It is important to have flexibility in this format and we do have flexibility. Virat had opened against England, but I don't know what would be the decision (during World Cup). "I think we can't go with a fixed mindset ...it will depend on wicket, conditions, strategy, it is important to not get predictable."

(With PTI inputs)

Story first published: Friday, October 22, 2021, 19:57 [IST]
Other articles published on Oct 22, 2021