Former India batter Suresh Raina has backed Abhishek Sharma for a spot in India’s Take a look at setup whereas insisting that Rishabh Pant stays an X-factor in white-ball cricket regardless of establishing himself as one of many nation’s key red-ball gamers.Raina made the remarks whereas talking on former India opener Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, the place he additionally mentioned the event of younger gamers and the significance of encouraging them to think about Take a look at cricket.
Raina needs Abhishek to make the Take a look at leap
Raina believes Abhishek, who has emerged as one in every of India’s most explosive white-ball batters, has the power to make the transition to the longest format.“I really feel Abhishek Sharma ought to play Take a look at cricket. Vaibhav may be very younger. Does he need to play? What do his coaches suppose? These are questions. I really feel he ought to play. Are the IPL homeowners and associations additionally pondering of this and placing Take a look at cricket in gamers’ minds? Coaches even have a job right here,” Raina stated.Abhishek has already featured recurrently for India in white-ball cricket and beforehand held the No.1 place within the ICC T20I batting rankings. Whereas his red-ball numbers should not but excellent, he has proven sufficient promise to counsel that he may develop right into a helpful Take a look at choice.The left-hander has scored 1,071 runs in 24 first-class matches and 37 innings at a median of 30.60, with one century and 5 half-centuries. He has additionally contributed with the ball, taking 20 wickets within the format.
Raina sees Pant as an X-factor in white-ball cricket
Raina was equally effusive in his reward for Pant, who has change into a longtime a part of India’s Take a look at setup however has been away from the limited-overs groups since 2024. Pant has amassed 3,725 runs in 52 Checks at a median of 43.82, together with eight centuries and 21 half-centuries. His aggressive strategy and talent to alter the course of a match have made him one in every of India’s most influential Take a look at batters.“He has labored arduous. I’m very blissful. Everybody does nicely, however he is likely one of the greatest. He’s my favorite participant. He’s scoring lots in Checks. He has that X issue. I believe he’ll mature in white-ball and IPL as nicely. He has carried out rather well,” Raina stated.Pant final performed a T20I for India towards Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 28, 2024, whereas his most up-to-date ODI look got here towards the identical opposition in Colombo on August 7, 2024.