Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has made a bold prediction regarding the future of Test cricket. While Virat Kohli and Joe Root are often hailed as the greatest Test players of this era, Ganguly believes that another Indian player could soon take that crown. Ganguly sees wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant as the next big thing in the world of Test cricket.
Rishabh Pant’s Potential to be Among the Greats
During a recent event, Ganguly expressed his admiration for Pant’s performance in Test cricket. He highlighted Pant’s game-changing abilities, predicting that if the young cricketer continues to play as he has, he could be ranked among the all-time greats of Test cricket. Ganguly said, “Rishabh Pant is one of India’s best Test batsmen. His return to Test cricket doesn’t surprise me. If he keeps performing like this, he’ll be considered among the greatest Test players ever. He needs to improve in shorter formats, but he’s talented, and I believe he will.”
Pant’s Comeback to the Indian Test Squad
Pant’s return to the Test squad has been a significant talking point. After suffering injuries in a car accident in December 2022, he was out of action for months. Now, the young star is back in the Indian team for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Pant is expected to be a key player in the first Test, which starts on September 19 in Chennai. His ability to score big runs under pressure makes him a crucial part of India’s Test lineup.
Mohammed Shami’s Recovery and India’s Upcoming Tours
Ganguly also touched upon the fitness of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami, who has been out due to an ankle injury, is expected to make a full recovery before India’s tour of Australia later this year. Ganguly emphasized that the Indian pace attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and the returning Shami, will be vital in the challenging overseas tours.
According to Ganguly, the Australian tour, followed by India’s visit to England in July 2024, will be crucial in testing the strength of the Indian team. He added, “India’s fast bowling attack is strong, and with Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami back in action, it will be a key factor in these important tours.”
With these predictions and upcoming series, Indian cricket fans have a lot to look forward to as Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Shami are set to make their mark once again.
