The ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has reached its business end, with only two matches left to be played. India and England will meet at Adelaide Oval on Thursday for the second semi-final, and the winner of this contest shall be facing Pakistan in the summit clash on Sunday, November 13.
Ahead of the India-England clash, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who carries more than five years of experience in the T20Is, named the first five players he would select in his own dream team in the format.
Interestingly, Pant included himself in the list along with a teammate and picked two players from England and one from Afghanistan.
Speaking to the ICC , Pant began by picking England skipper Jos Buttler. Pant reckoned that Buttler has the ability to hit anywhere in this world.
“The first five players which I would pick in a T20 XI for my side are… Jos Buttler. Whenever he comes to bat, especially in T20s, I feel he can hit anywhere in this world,” said Pant.
Pant then named another English cricketer in the form of explosive hitter Liam Livingstone. The Indian keeper said he just loves watching Livingstone bat. Pant said: “I love watching Livingstone, the way he has been playing over the last two, three years.”
After naming two batters, Pant went for a fast bowler, and he picked his teammate Jasprit Bumrah. Pant said Bumrah is ab obvious choice in any T20 side. Notably, the Men in Blue are competing in the ongoing T20 World Cup without the services of Bumrah, as the pacer was ruled out of the tournament due to a back stress fracture.
“Choosing Bumrah, there is never a doubt. You need a fast bowler, so I’m going to add Bumrah for that,” said Pant.
After naming the fast bowler, Pant picked a spinner for his dream team in the form of Rashid Khan. The Indian star observed that Rashid is a world-class mystery spinner, and he loves Rashid’s batting as well. Pant said: “And Rashid, he’s been a mystery spinner over a period of the last six, seven years now. I love him, and he can contribute with the bat too.”
So far in the T20 World Cup 2022, Pant has only played one game in the Super 12 clash against Zimbabwe, replacing Dinesh Karthik, who was picked in the opening four matches. However, Pant had no doubts about picking himself on the list.
“Because I’m choosing this team, I have to be in it. It’s compulsory for me to choose myself, that’s why I went there,” Pant added further.