A few days back, people noted Virat Kohli was seen talking with Rishabh Pant. This happened right before the India vs. Afghanistan third T20I match. This event was set for Wednesday, January 17. It was at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, located in Bengaluru. Pant has been spending a considerable time at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He is nearing a full recovery from his health issues.
A video has been making its rounds on X. Previously known as Twitter, the footage showcases Kohli engaged in a quick chat with Pant. This little chat happened during a practice session right before the match.
![Virat Kohli](https://the100sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/New-Project-24-1-1024x576.webp)
See their exchange below:
After a yearly pause after the 2022 T20I World Cup, Kohli returned to India’s T20I team. In the second showdown with Afghanistan, the skilled batsman crunched 29 runs from 16 balls.
The current India vs. Afghanistan home T20I series does not include Rishabh Pant. Since his severe accident in December 2023, the 26-year-old hasn’t played competitive cricket. The constant leader of Delhi Capitals may engage in the forthcoming Indian Premier League season.
Sunil Gavaskar praises Rishabh Pant’s impact, wants him in 2024 T20I World Cup squad
![Rishabh Pant](https://the100sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/New-Project-82-1024x576.webp)
Ex-India skipper Sunil Gavaskar hopes for Rishabh Pant’s presence in the 2024 T20I World Cup by June. He promotes KL Rahul as his subsequent wicketkeeper preference for the grand ICC spectacle in the USA along with the West Indies.
Recently, Gavaskar said to Star Sports:
“I see him (KL Rahul) as a wicketkeeper as well but I will say one thing before that – if Rishabh Pant is fit on even one leg, he should come in the team because he is a game-changer in every format. If I am the selector, I will put his name first.”
Sunil Gavaskar
![Sunil gavaskar](https://the100sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sunil-gavaskar-1024x576.jpg)
Sunil Gavaskar added:
“However, if Pant is unavailable and KL Rahul keeps wickets, it will be good because the balance will also get created. Then you have the option to play him as an opener or use him in the middle order. He is an all-rounder and he has improved his wicketkeeping so much… He is a proper wicketkeeper.”
Sunil Gavaskar
KL Rahul, he’s not on India’s current T20I team, playing against Afghanistan. His last T20I game? It was in the 2022 T20 World Cup.