Team India is all set to clash against Sri Lanka in a three-match T20 series, starting on Thursday. The series will be team India's first assignment since Rishabh Pant's life-threatening car crash on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. Pant, who is now undergoing treatment, is one of India's key players in ODI format and a star player like him getting injured is definitely a huge setback for the national team ahead of 2023 World Cup.
Hardik Pandya, who will lead a second-string Indian team in IND vs SL T20Is, said that the team is hoping for Rishabh Pant to make a quick recovery.
“What happened is very unfortunate. As a team we wish him all the best. Our love and prayers are always with him and we hope he manages a speedy recovery. He was very important but everyone knows where the situation stands,” said Pandya on the eve of India-Sri Lanka 1st T20 International, set to be played on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium.
Pandya said Pant's absence can be an opportunity for other wicketkeeper-batters to make a mark for themselves.
“A lot of people can get an opportunity. If Rishabh was there it would have made a big difference because of the kind of player he is. Now he is not there so we will see what the future has in store for us,” he said.
Pandya also asserted that the team is looking to play in a certain way as they don't have much games left to play ahead of IPL.
"The plans are set. We are looking to play in a certain way, which we will and before IPL, there are only 6 games. So we don't have much time to do a lot of things but going forward, we will create creating new plans and see which is working. We will see that everyone gets ample opportunity. On the right time, when needed, we will see what there is to do. The role identification is something that existed earlier and is present now as well. That is something which anyway in my team I believe in - that everyone should have a clear idea as to what their roles are and what they should be expecting," he said.