MAYBE IN THE BEGINNING, WE WON’T SEE THE REAL RISHABH PANT THAT WE ARE USED TO: SUNIL GAVASKAR

Khel Today Bureau 

Mumbai: At the Star Nahi Far event organised by Star Sports, renowned former India cricketer and StarCast member Sunil Gavaskar shared exclusive insights with Star Sports, delving into various aspects of the upcoming TATA IPL season. From analysing the potential challenges facing teams like the Mumbai Indians to discussing the anticipated return of Rishabh Pant, Gavaskar offered a unique perspective on the cricketing landscape. He also provided intriguing commentary on the entertainment value brought by players like Pant and the leadership dynamics surrounding Shubhman Gill. Moreover, Gavaskar highlighted potential breakout stars for the season, shedding light on players poised to make a significant impact on the field.

Speaking exclusively to Star Sports at the Star Nahi Far event, former India cricketer and StarCast member Sunil Gavaskar spoke on how difficult it will be for Rishabh Pant to make his comeback into the cricket, he said, “It’ll be very difficult. But the good thing is he has played some cricket. So he has got some practice. To get fluency in batting is a little tough because when you talk of a knee injury, the pivoting that takes place, wicket keeping is difficult as well, but even in batting, the knee is quite important. So maybe in the beginning, we won’t see the real Rishabh Pant that we are used to.”

He also spoke on the entertainment that Pant provides as a chatty wicket-keeper, he said “To find a wicketkeeper like him who comments from behind the stumps, that’s full-on entertainment because there are a lot of wicketkeepers who would like to disturb your concentration by saying different things, but Rishabh Pant has the ability to say such a thing that whoever he is targeting, they also laugh, they also enjoy it. But when enjoying it, their concentration goes down a bit, right? The advantage is for his team then.”

Sunil Gavaskar spoke on the problem that Mumbai Indians may face in the bowling department, he said “Death over bowling. Bumrah is there, but from the other side, maybe the runs will be leaked. So this, I think, is a weakness for the Mumbai Indians’ side. In batting, they have quite a few batsmen, so anything can happen.”

Former India cricketer and StarCast member Sunil Gavaskar spoke on the challenge which Shubhman Gill will face as captain of Gujarat Titans, he said “That is going to be the most important thing: the way he can handle the captaincy. Will it affect and impact his batting? And the second thing is there is a commonality in our initials; both of us are SG’s, and if we go even further, my initials are SMG, and he has Shubh-Man Gill in his name.”

Sunil Gavaskar also spoke on who maybe the breakout player this IPL season, he said “Dhruv Jurel can be that person definitely. The way he has batted this year and the way he batted last IPL, he can definitely get a promotion up the order. Akash Deep, he hasn’t got a lot of opportunities, but the way he has shown performances on the big stage in test matches, probably he will get more opportunities now, and that can make a big difference.”

Watch thrilling action of the TATA IPL 2024 on television LIVE from
March 22nd March only on the Star Sports Network.