Mumbai: Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Rishabh Pant will be “exceptionally dangerous” on “fast and bouncy” Australian wickets during the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he could be best utilised as a floater as per match situation.
Ponting has worked closely with Pant at Delhi Capitals and rates the Indian keeper-batter very highly.
“He (Pant) is a wonderful player. An outstanding young man, who has got the world at his feet. And he’ll be exceptionally dangerous for India, especially on the wickets we’ll provide in Australia . good flat, fast, bouncy wickets. He’ll be one of the players to watch out (for) in the tournament (World T20) for sure, Ponting said on ‘ICC Review’.
For Ponting, Pant’s batting position should be flexible as per Indian team’s requirements.
“I reckon having him as a floater. I’ll probably have him listed at (number) five in the (Indian) batting line-up.
“But in certain situations, where it gets to a stage, where there are seven-eight overs to go and they are one-two down, then I will look at sending him in and giving as much time as possibly can. —PTI
He is that dynamic and that explosive (player) and that is certainly the way I would look at trying to use him,” added Ponting, a veteran of 168 Tests.
PTI

Press Trust of India