Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said Rishabh Pant is “fully fit” but added that the wicketkeeper should be given more time to be selected for India’s upcoming matches in West Indies and Get ready for the T20 World Cup in the United States. Delhi Capitals captain Pant, who returned to professional cricket after a tragic car accident in December 2022, seems to be making great strides with consecutive half-centuries in the IPL.

When asked if he thought Pant was ready to be named in the Indian team, DC director of cricket Ganguly said after the team’s training session: “Just play a few more games. He has performed well. You all have to There’s, you know, keeping (the wicket), batting. He’s doing really well.

“His form has been fantastic, especially the way he’s batted in the last two games. In another week I’ll be able to answer that question… if the selectors want to pick him – that’s the most important thing.” He is healthy, completely healthy,” Ganguly added.

Pant is currently the fourth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024 with 152 runs in four games at a strike rate of nearly 160.

DC will take on five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Ganguly added that he was happy with the bowling department but the team had lost three of the four games so far this season and needed extra batsmen.

“We have made good use of the bowling part of Mukesh (Kumar), who has developed under Delhi Capitals, Karel (Ahmed) and Ishant (Sharma).

“Prithvi Shaw…he has returned to good form this season. Rishabh is obviously a domestic talent in India. Abhishek Porel has started the season well. We need to find one more batsman who can do that.

The legendary cricketer added that young players like Ricky Bhui and Kumar Kushagra may get opportunities as the tournament progresses.

Young Jharkhand batsman Kushagla was bought by DC for an incredible Rs 72 crore in the IPL auction but is yet to play an IPL match this season.

“It’s about opportunities at this level. Hopefully the young players like (Ricky) Bhui, (Kumar) Kushagra, we can give them a chance and see how it goes. It also depends on the balance of both sides, whether you want to move on or not The way you bowl or the way you bat,” Ganguly said.

“Of course, he (Kushaghla) will play. We are looking for opportunities for him to play. We saw (Samir) Rizvi playing for Chennai and he also got a lot of money.” The stylish former The batsman believes that Indian talent will flourish in the IPL as it gets a lot of opportunities.

“There are a lot of Indian talents who have performed well in the IPL. So far, (we) have seen (Riyan) Parag perform well in Rajasthan. Then there is Punjab (Kings) Shashank Singh, who performed well in the last game .Prabhsimran is also doing well in Punjab,” he said.

“There are a lot of young talents in the IPL, and that’s what has been the case for a while. It’s a platform for young talents to come and excel. And, the more opportunities they are given, they will excel as the game progresses.” Gan Gurley did not want to read too much into Mumbai Indians’ dismal performance so far. The five-time champions have lost all three games so far this season.

“Mumbai are a good team. We are a good team too. We won a game against Chennai. We hope Mumbai can perform well because they have been a great team for a long time team. They have some good squads of players in the squad,” he said.

“But T20 is a format where sometimes you get into a situation where you lose a few (or) three games and then you have to find a way to come back,” Ganguly added.

Kuldeep Yadav to undergo fitness test

Ganguly said wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will undergo a fitness test to determine whether he can play against MI.

“He will undergo a fitness test today. He has a bit of stiffness in his groin and that’s why he has missed the last two games. By the end of today, we will know if he can play tomorrow,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly added that DC will also have to find a replacement for Mitchell Marsh, who sustained an injury against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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