Matthew Hayden, former Australian international, has expressed his belief that India will feel the absence of Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Pant, who suffered a severe injury last year and is still in the process of recovery, has no confirmed return date.
According to Hayden, Pant’s absence is a significant setback for Indian cricket. The left-handed batsman has an impressive record against Australia in Test cricket and played a crucial role in India’s victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during the 2020-21 season, especially during the series held in Australia.
In light of Pant’s unavailability, Hayden suggested that the Indian team management should seriously consider including Ishan Kishan in the WTC final. Hayden believes that Kishan possesses the ability to play an aggressive style of cricket, much like Pant. Furthermore, Kishan’s dynamic approach can inject a sense of confidence and flair into the batting lineup, potentially contributing to the team’s quest for their first ICC trophy in nearly a decade.
According to a report from The Telegraph online, Matthew Hayden has expressed his opinion, stating, “As an Indian selector, I would unquestionably choose the more dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan. He not only injects a sense of confidence into the batting lineup but also elevates the fielding unit with his captivating presence.”