India cricketer Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant after the latter played a match-winning knock in the second T20I against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday.
Pant took India home with an unbeaten knock of 40 off 28 deliveries after Krunal Pandya (3/28) and Rohit Sharma (50) starred with the ball and bat respectively to level the series.
Following India’s win, Harbhajan said every such innings — from now till the multi-national event in England and Wales — will help the southpaw get closer to the World Cup squad.
“Every opportunity will take (Rishabh) Pant closer to the World Cup squad, especially if he continues to keep scoring like this (Auckland T20I),” Harbhajan told Aaj Tak.
“I feel he has that x-factor which India will need in the (2019)World Cup. Pant is someone who can change games,” he added.
The third and the final T20I of the series will be played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
