Nehra backs Pant to make World Cup squad, says he is a match-winner

NEWDELHI: A pure match-winner, a back-up opener and an effortless six-hitter in the class of Rohit Sharma--- Rishabh Pant merits selection in India’s World Cup squad and there are more than one reasons for it, feels former pacer Ashish Nehra.

Nehra, who has tracked Pant’s progress in Delhi and international cricket since he first joined the Sonnet Club, gave five elaborate reasons for the dynamic youngster’s inclusion in the playing XI.

“In a team, there will always be contributors but at a big event like the World Cup, you need players with X-factor. Rishabh Pant is not a mere contributor but a pure match-winner who should be picked for the World Cup,” said Nehra on Thursday.

Nehra, a key member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, feels there are three to four specific reasons to pick Pant.

“If you look at India’s batting line up, save Shikhar (Dhawan), there aren’t any left-handers in the top seven. You need variety with a left-right combination, where Rishabh perfectly fits,” he reasoned.

The 21-year-old Pant is a lefthander and scored Test hundreds in his first series in England and Australia.

“Secondly, Rishabh can bat at any position between Nos 1 to 7 and so Virat (Kohli) and the team management can use him as a floater,” said Nehra, who also played the 2003 World Cup final in South Africa.

The third reason cited by Nehra was Pant’s ability to hit sixes effortlessly from the word go. Nehra said the fearless approach comes in handy in pressure situations.

“If it comes to effortlessly hitting sixes, Rishabh comes second only to Rohit Sharma with his big-hitting ability. India will need that in abundance during the World Cup,” Nehra said.

Last but not the least, Nehra felt Pant has shown the ability to win matches single-handedly.

“No disrespect, this team has three clear match-winners and they are Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah. For me, the fourth one is going to be Pant.

“Rayudu, Jadhav and Karthik are fantastic players but are in the same mould. You need X-factor which this boy possesses.”