'He might become Indian captain': Aakash Chopra predicts great future for Rishabh Pant in T20Is

There's no doubt in anyone’s mind about what Rishabh Pant can do when he is on song. The 24-year-old batter has showcased his talent at the highest level on a number of occasions. He is an out-and-out match winner, who can change the complexion of the game in the span of a few deliveries and win it on his own. He has done that as well, on a number of occasions in the past, that too in the format which is most challenging, i.e., Test cricket. The left-handed batter has scored Test centuries in England, Australia, and South Africa, and he has also established himself as the first-choice stumper in the Indian team in all three formats.

But even if he is a preferred choice, Pant’s numbers aren’t great in T20Is and he also lacks consistency, which has invited a fair share of criticism for him. The youngster is set to take part in the upcoming T20 World Cup as he has been selected in India’s 15-member squad, but whether he will get the chance to play in the matches or not remains to be seen.

Pant’s place in the Indian team faces a threat from veteran stumper Dinesh Karthik, who has raised his stock on the back of his spectacular show in the IPL 2022. He is also included in the team and is likely ahead of Pant in the pecking order as well because of his finishing abilities.

But according to former Indian opening batter Aakash Chopra, going forward into the future, Pant will have a bright future in the T20Is and could also become the captain of the side in the shortest format of the game.

"I feel the future will be great. He might become the Indian captain in T20 cricket going forward. He will be that maverick people will be scared of. He will play in a bold fashion," Chopra said on his YouTube channel when asked about Pant’s future in T20Is.

"But at this point in time, the truth is that he is still figuring out whether he should do this or that, whether he should hit or play cautiously, whether he will get dropped if he gets out while trying to hit."

"He has done all of that, but this happens when you are young and extremely talented, and the expectation is that the guy will come and hit. So at times, he feels obliged that he has to hit but gets out while doing that. So it is a big problem."

Pant, who has captained India in five T20Is against South Africa in June this year, has played a total of 58 T20I matches for the Men in Blue in which he has scored a total of 934 runs at an average of 23.94 and a strike rate of 126.21.