'If he plays the whole IPL without any...' - Sunil Gavaskar's blunt take on comeback of Rishabh Pant in Indian squad

Former legendary batter and commentator, Sunil Gavaskar came up with a blunt statement while speaking about the comeback of the star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishbha Pant. Gavaskar opined that Pant could be an important factor while picking the squad of India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Notably, Rishabh Pant has not been in action for India since December 2022 after he met a horrific car accident in the wee hours of December 30, 2022. Since then, he has been undergoing a recovery after the successful surgery earlier this year.

"I think he is a game-changer." - Sunil Gavaskar about Rishabh Pant

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar spoke about the possibility of Rishabh Pant getting included in the Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup in the shortest format of the game. Gavaskar also pointed out the role of Indian Premier League (IPL) in Rishabh Pant’s comeback to international cricket.

“Yeah, he (Pant) walks back into the team. He's an impact player. He shows his fitness in the IPL. Four months to go for the IPL. He plays the IPL. Whatever he does at the IPL. If he plays the whole IPL without any injury setback, then he walks into the team. Whether he scores one run or no runs at all in the IPL. I think he is a game-changer. He would be one of the first couple of picks if I was a selector,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports after India lost to South Africa by 5 wickets in the second T20I of the recently concluded three-match T20I series.

Speaking of the T20I series between South Africa and India, it ended up on an equal margin of 1-1 after the visitors India defeated South Africa by a big margin of 106 runs in the last and third T20I of the series at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday, December 14.

Coming back to Rishabh Pant, he is expected to make his comeback to cricket in the Indian Premier League 2024 for his franchise Delhi Capitals.