Sanjay Bangar bats for Rishabh Pant to replace MS Dhoni

He was given ample chances in the recent past which he squandered, losing his place to KL Rahul behind the stumps. However, Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar still feels the young Pant is the right option.

Hyderabad: After the retirement of former Indian captain MS Dhoni from international cricket, the discussion to succeed him behind the wickets took the centre stage. When Dhoni retired from Tests much before, there were the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, Rishabh Pant and a few others like Parthiv Patel in the reckoning. However, many backed Pant to succeed him in whiteball cricket first.

He was given ample chances in the recent past which he squandered, losing his place to KL Rahul behind the stumps. However, Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar still feels the young Pant is the right option. “In terms of wicket-keeping, I think it would be Rishabh Pant. I think the way he started this year’s IPL and I think it is very important to have a left-hander as an option because for Team India when it comes to the middle order, it helps to balance out the right-handers,” said Bangar on Star Sports show, Cricket Connected.

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Former pacer Ashish Nehra too backed the decision. “I am in total agreement with Sanjay Bangar, I think they should go ahead with Rishabh Pant. Pant should be backed! Every player needs to be backed when it comes to international cricket,” added Nehra.