[Watch] "Bhaiyya, I'm coming on 28th"- Rinku Singh on video call with Rishabh Pant after KKR's win vs SRH in IPL 2024 final

Team India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant interacted with Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lifted the IPL 2024 trophy with a resounding win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final on Sunday (May 26). Pant led the Delhi Capitals (DC) side this season after making his return from injury. They ended up in the sixth position on the points table due to inconsistent performances.

Pant recently traveled to the USA with some Indian teammates including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah - to commence preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled between June 2 and 29. The USA and West Indies will host the mega tournament.

KKR took to their official X handle and shared a video to give fans a glimpse of the video call between Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, and Nitish Rana. Pant could be seen congratulating both the Kolkata players for the title. Rinku Singh then informed Pant that he will be traveling to the USA on May 28 to link up with the Indian squad. Rinku is not in the main squad but is a traveling reserve.

"Bhaiyya, I'm coming on 28th," Rinku Singh said.

You can watch the video below:

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"Whoever plays, the team management should back him"- Gautam Gambhir on Rishabh Pant vs Sanju Samson debate for India at 2024 T20 World Cup

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir recently weighed in on the debate surrounding the selection of a wicket-keeper in the Indian playing XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Gambhir leaned towards Rishabh Pant after analyzing that India might slot in a wicket-keeper at number 5, 6, or 7 in the batting line-up. Gambhir felt that Pant would be better suited to bat at those positions than Sanju Samson, who prefers the top-order. Speaking on Sportskeeda Cricket's Match Ki Baat show, Gambhir said:

"Both have equal quality. Sanju has amazing quality, and even Rishabh has amazing quality. If I had to pick, I'd probably pick Rishabh Pant because he is a natural middle-order batter. Sanju, if you see in IPL, he has batted at number three. Rishabh has batted at number five, six and seven I think. Looking at Team India's combination, we need the wicketkeeper in that position and not in the top order."

Gambhir continued:

"So I'd start with Rishabh Pant. Plus, he is a left-hander in the middle-order, which gives you a left hand-right hand combination. But again, if they see that Sanju can score more runs at number six or seven, they could go with him as well. I think only one out of those two will play, and whoever plays, the team management should back him."

Do you agree with Gautam Gambhir's views above? Let us know in the comments section.