In an interview at the Eden Gardens, former India captain Sourav Ganguly said he isn’t too convinced on how Pant would fit into India's World Cup squad as the star wicketkeeper batsman has played just three ODIs all against the West Indies in India last year. However, he believes that Pant is definitely a player for the future.
India captain Virat Kohli wasn’t feeling anxiety or seemed unsettled after his boys put shoddy batting performance in the first T20 International against Australia as he was willing to give more game-time to to youngsters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, keeping in mind the upcoming World Cup in England.
Pant has been picked ahead of Dinesh Karthik for the five-match ODI series against Australia, India's last 50-over engagement before the mega event in England.
"He has to fit in. I don't know whether he would be able to fit in at this moment. So it depends. But he's obviously a player for the future," said Ganguly.
Pant has made a big statement in Tests by scoring centuries in England and Australia but he's yet to make an impact in the ODIs and T20Is.
"Karthik is not part of the ODI squad then obviously they are not thinking him as an option. It depends on what the selectors want," said Ganguly.
"India are a very good side. It's a very strong side. They are a pretty much self-selected team. I don't see too many changes in the squad. Bowling is good in (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). Batting picks itself. Spinners (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Kuldeep (Yadav). They are pretty self-selected team."
The former captain said Indian players are too good and will adjust to the 50-over format easily.
"It does not bring in bad habits. When you see Kohli bat the way he bats, there are no bad habits at all.
"World Cup is how you play in the World Cup. It's (IPL) a different tournament. You just play and move on to the World Cup."
"I do not think so. They are too good and will easily adjust. The whole last year we played. How much we play?" Ganguly asked.
(With PTI inputs)