NEW DELHI: India's batting coach Vikram Rathour confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will continue to bat at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup following his impressive performance against Ireland.
Rathour also expressed his satisfaction with having a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the squad, both of whom played crucial roles in India's victory over Ireland on Wednesday.
Pant and Pandya, who made their return to international cricket after a long hiatus due to injuries, showcased their skills in India's eight-wicket triumph in their opening game of the tournament.
Also See: ICC Men's T20 WC Schedule | ICC Men's T20 WC Points Table
On a challenging pitch with uneven bounce, Pant's unbeaten 36 included a stunning reverse-scoop six, highlighting his return to form after a horrific car accident in December 2022.
"Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good," Rathour told the media after the match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium.
"At the moment, he is our No. 3 and it helps that he is a left-hander," Rathour added, confirming Pant's spot in the lineup alongside skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top.
Both Pant and Pandya demonstrated their fitness and form during the IPL, paving their way back into the India squad for the T20 World Cup.
Despite a challenging season as captain for Mumbai Indians, Pandya's skills as an all-rounder were highly valued by India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
1/10:India rout Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener
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2/10:CAPTAIN'S KNOCK
<p>India captain Rohit Sharma allayed fears about an arm injury after making 52 before retiring hurt as his side thrashed Ireland by eight wickets in the teams' T20 World Cup opener in New York on Wednesday.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:DOMINANT DISPLAY
<p>India only required 97 to win after a dominant display by their bowling attack, with left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh striking twice in the third over to reduce Ireland to 9-2 after Rohit won the toss.<br /></p>AFP
4/10:SUPER PANDYA
<p><br />All-rounder Hardik Pandya took two wickets in two balls on his way to 3-27 and Jasprit Bumrah, the player of the match, 2-6.<br /></p>IANS
5/10:POOR SHOW
<p>Ireland, all out for just 96, needed to hold every chance to have any hope of a shock upset.<br /></p>AFP
6/10:ROHIT SURVIVES
<p>But Rohit had made just two when, off the last ball of the first over of India's chase, he edged Mark Adair through the hands of Andrew Balbirnie at second slip.<br /></p>AFP
7/10:VIRAT FALLS
<p>Adair dismissed Virat Kohli for just one, when the star batsman sliced to deep third man, but the damage had been done as India launched their bid to win a first major title since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph with a commanding Group A victory.<br /></p>AFP
8/10:CAPTAIN ON DUTY
<p>Rohit punished Ireland with a 37-ball innings, including four fours and three well-struck sixes as he shared a stand of 54 with Rishabh Pant.<br /></p>IANS
9/10:COMEBACK MAN
<p>Rishabh Pant, returning to international cricket after a horror car crash in December 2022, finished on 36 not out and ended the match with a typically flamboyant reverse-scooped six off Barry McCarthy as India won with nearly eight overs left.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:BOOM-BOOM BUMRAH
<p>Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged Player of the Match for figures 2-6.<br /></p>AFPIn the match against Ireland, Pandya's performance with the ball was remarkable. He delivered a precise spell, taking three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs, marking his first match since October 2023 when he had to leave the field due to an ankle injury during a game against Bangladesh.
"Hardik looked really good. Hardik has been — I mean, even in the practice game and even in the practice — bowling really well," Rathour noted. "He looks fit enough to go through four overs and he's been bowling with some pace and some accuracy, so yeah, it's great," he added.
India's positive start to the T20 World Cup, bolstered by the return of Pant and Pandya, sets a promising tone for their campaign as they continue to navigate the challenges of the tournament.
(With inputs from PTI)
