Rishabh Pant Gets Big 'Responsibility Warning From Suresh Raina: "Has To Tell Himself..."

Former cricketer Suresh Raina shared his views on the importance of Rishabh Pant in the Men in Blue squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and said that the wicketkeeper-batter needs to "play with more responsibility". Earlier on Saturday, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma held a press conference to announce the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. Pant made his ODI debut in 2018 against West Indies following that he has scored 871 runs in 31 50-over matches at a strike rate of 106.21. The 27-year-old's last ODI game was against Sri Lanka in 2024, where he scored just six runs at a strike rate of 66.66.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Press Room, Suresh Raina said that Pant has improved a lot in his wicket-keeping. He added that the upcoming white-ball series against England will be a good chance to improve.

The former cricketer added that if youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn't make it into the playing eleven then Pant will have a very important role in the squad.

"He has improved a lot on his wicket-keeping, Rishabh Pant needs to play with more responsibility because this is a 50-over tournament. In the upcoming tournament with England you've got 5 T20Is and 3 One Days, this will be a good opportunity for Rishabh Pant. It depends on how you play, I think if Yashasvi does not play in the top order then Rishabh Pant will have a very important role, he can bat at the fourth position he can also come in to bat before Hardik because if Rishabh goes on to play 40-50 deliveries then he can finish off the game," Raina was quoted in a release from Star Sports as saying.

Raina added that it's important for Pant to spend some time on the crease. The