ICC World Cup 2019 | India will miss Rishabh Pant massively, says Mohammad Azharuddin

ICC World Cup 2019 | India will miss Rishabh Pant massively, says Mohammad Azharuddin

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Mohammad Azharuddin has stated that the Indian team will miss explosive batsman Rishabh Pant but will still be among the favourites to win the World Cup. He had earlier too vouched for Pant but the youngster failed to make a cut in the 15-man squad and was later named as a reserve player.

Rishabh Pant had made his ODI debut for India in 2018 itself but was dropped after two innings. He was brought back for the final two matches against Australia but did not get a look in for the final World Cup squad as he squandered that starts in those matches. However, the 21-year-old blasted 488 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 162.66 in the Indian Premier League. Mohammad Azharuddin is of the belief that the Indian team will miss his power hitting at the ten-nation tournament.

“The team will miss Rishabh Pant and his explosive skills. He does not care about the situation and backs his game which is hitting the ball hard,” he said in an interview, reported TNN.

The former player, who featured in four World Cups and captained in three of them, named his favourites for this edition of the quadrennial event as well.

“India should do well. I think India are joint favourites to win the trophy along with England, Australia and New Zealand,” said the 56-year-old.

“Team India have solid openers backed up by Virat Kohli. Looks like Vijay Shankar will bat at number four. We have reasonable batting strength. Hardik Pandya will definitely add that X-factor when India bat. They have a good pace bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in the world now. Kuldeep Yadav-Yuzvendra Chahal-Ravindra Jadeja form a formidable spin attack. If they keep their cool, they can pose a serious challenge to any team in the competition,” he explained.

On the other hand, Pakistan have endured a losing streak since the series against Australia. They lost the series in England and even the warm-up encounter against Afghanistan. The losses have forced them to bring in Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, who last played an ODI in 2017, into the squad although they were not named in the preliminary squad. India will face Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford and the former Hyderabad batsman is confident of India eclipsing Pakistan.

“Although Pakistan have brought back Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, I'll still put India as favourites. Virat will definitely make sure that India wins the most important game in the tournament in the league stage,” he asserted.

Many experts feel that West Indies might emerge as the dark horses given that they have gone will a full-strength squad but the right-hander begged to differ.

“It's a 50-over game, not a 20-over contest. The hard-hitting batsmen in the T20 format may struggle initially in 50 overs. They have to be patient. No team can win by hitting just fours and sixes. If West Indies survive against the spinners, they will be able to win a few games and go deep in the event,” Azharuddin concluded.

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