“If Rishabh Pant was playing, I would straightaway say India are real favorites for World Cup” – Kris Srikkanth .

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth believes that the Indian cricket team would have been strong contenders to win the 2023 World Cup if Rishabh Pant, the explosive keeper-batter, had been fit. However, Pant’s participation in the tournament is in doubt as he is set to miss the World Cup in India due to a severe car accident he was involved in last December. Since the incident, the 25-year-old has been absent from the game.

Pant’s absence has posed a challenge for Team India, particularly in the wicket-keeping department. In an attempt to fill the void left by Pant, the team has experimented with Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson in the limited-overs formats, and KS Bharat in Test matches. However, none of these players have been able to replicate Pant’s explosive batting style combined with his wicket-keeping skills.

Considering the recently announced schedule for the World Cup, Srikkanth discussed India’s prospects of winning the tournament on their home soil. He emphasized that Pant’s absence creates a significant void in the team and may affect their chances of clinching the title.