Parthiv Patel has claimed that Rishabh Pant can replace Ishan Kishan as the Indian team’s opener in the second T20I against England.
Rishabh Pant (courtesy: Reuters)
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- Pant was not part of the squad for the first T20I
- Patel feels Pant can replace Kishan given the confidence he has from the fifth Test
- Patel also feels that Iyer may miss out on a place in the team
Former cricketer Parthiv Patel has claimed that Rishabh Pant can open for India in the second T20I against England in place of Ishan Kishan.
Pant was not part of the Indian squad for the first game on Thursday but will return for one at Edgbaston. The Indian wicketkeeper made quite an impact at the same venue a few days back, scoring a century and a half-century in the rearranged Tests.
Talking to Cricbuzz, Patel said that Pant will bring a lot of confidence from his outings at Edgbaston and can replace Kishan at the top of the order.
“DK has been the No 1 finisher, Ishan Kishan has been the highest run-scorer for India in T20Is this year and Rishabh Pant is Rishabh Pant. Although he had a modest IPL, he would bring confidence from that century and half-century from the Edgbaston Test. He can open in place of Ishan Kishan and get some chances at the top.
The former Indian cricketer suggested some more changes that could happen. He said that Ravindra Jadeja could come in place of Axar Patel, while Jasprit Bumrah could come in place of Arshdeep Singh, who impressed in the first game. However, Singh has been dropped for the rest of the matches.
Patel further said that Iyer may miss out on a place in the team along with Virat Kohli and Pant is expected to return.
Ravindra Jadeja will replace Axar Patel. Jasprit Bumrah will also come in place of Arshdeep Singh. I think Shreyas Iyer will not be able to make it to the playing XI. Both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant may make a comeback, but it will be interesting to see who will be dropped,” Patel said.
India will try to wrap up the T20 series with a win on Saturday.
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