Rishabh Pant will be a great asset for India at No.4 in 2019 World Cup: Sourav Ganguly

The 2019 Indian Premier League will be important for Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. The Delhi keeper impressed in Tests in England and Australia while Karthik has always been on the fringes. However, Pant struggled in the ODIs against Australia while Karthik was left out altogether. The IPL will be played just before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 which will be held in England and both players will be determined to perform well as they stake claim to the back-up keeper spot in the squad for MS Dhoni. Both players will be determined to solve the No.4 conundrum in the side, with the likes of Ambati Rayudu also fighting it out.

Karthik has been appointed as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders while Pant, who slammed a century in the previous IPL encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Kotla is the keeper for Delhi Capitals. However, Pant’s chances have been given a boost with some solid endorsements from Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and advisor of the side Sourav Ganguly, who is the former India captain.

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Speaking in a press conference, Ponting said, “Pant is the sort of guy that can help you win the World Cup.” Echoing Ponting’s sentiment, Ganguly said, “For me, Pant is the future. He is a hard-worker and he will be a huge asset for the country in the years to come. He can also be India’s No.4 during the World Cup.”

Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2019 campaign against the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings at the Feroz Shah Kotla on March 26. Chennai Super Kings, captained by MS Dhoni, made a grand comeback in the 2018 season as they won the IPL for the third time in addition to their two wins in the 2010 and 2011 editions. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have finished fourth in the last eight editions and have never won the tournament. However, with the acquisition of good talent and with the presence of Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma in the side, Delhi Capitals would be hoping to break their rut in this year’s IPL.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign on March 26 against Chennai Super Kings.
• Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma are back in the Delhi Capitals side.
• India will open their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5.