The build-up to the upcoming T20 World Cup is on, and Star Sports India is turning the heat up. Star Sports India also happens to hold the broadcasting rights for the tournament’s telecast in India. They recently shared a clip titled ‘Skipper Calling Keeper,’ in a bid to promote the mega-event.
Virat Kohli teases Rishab Pant in T20 World Cup ad
The clip featuring Virat Kohli and Pant is a light-hearted one. The Indian skipper is seen reminding Rishab that sixes are the primary element in winning T20 internationals, to which Pant replies, “I’m practicing daily, brother. After all, a wicket-keeper’s six once won India a World Cup.”
“Haven’t got a keeper like MS Dhoni(who pant was referring to) ever since,” counters Kohli, trying to tease the incumbent, who’ll be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper for the T20 World Cup. Virat later reminds Rishab Pant that he isn’t guaranteed a place in the playing XI, and that the team has other options(in KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan) who may be preferred over him for warm-up games. Here’s the full video.
.@imVkohli remembers @msdhoni while calling @RishabhPant17 ?
Learn why in Part 1 of #SkipperCallingKeeper & stay tuned for Part 2!#LiveTheGame, ICC Men's #T20WorldCup 2021:#INDvENG | Oct 18, Broadcast: 7 PM, Match: 7.30 PM#INDvAUS | Oct 20, Broadcast: 3 PM, Match: 3.30 PM pic.twitter.com/SLYXUQj75g
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 14, 2021
While it’s all fun and games in the video put out as a promotional(it is a part of Star Sports India’s #livethegane campaign), India may actually be looking to give Ishan Kishan some game time before their official journey starts. Ishan struggled to put the bat on the ball throughout this season’s IPL, before wreaking havoc with a whirlwind 82 off 35 in Mumbai Indian’s last league game. Therefore, offering a warm-up game to the Jharkhand-raised boy will surely be an interesting call.
WATCH VIDEO: Rishabh Pant in a comical mood as he pranks umpire Anil Chaudhary
Team India is scheduled to play warm-ups with England and Australia, on 18th and 20th October respectively, before they officially kick-off their round-robin campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24. Will India trump their neighboring country yet again? Or will Pakistan repeat 2017 Champion’s Trophy heroics? Put your predictor’s hat on, and wait for October 24.