Pant can make opposition captain feel the heat if he gets going: Laxman

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has said that wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has the quality of making the opposition captain feel the heat once he spends some time in the middle.

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Pant played a match-winning knock of 101 runs against England in the first innings of the fourth Test against England and this helped the hosts to win the series 3-1. With this win, India also progressed to the final of the World Test Championship which will be played from June 18-22 against New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

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"In this situation, it could just strengthen the finishers in the Indian team because over the last one and one and half years , we are overly dependent on Hardik Pandya, and Jadeja when he comes at number 7, but he plays cameos. But if there is one batsman in the Indian batting line-up who from the first ball can play those shots is Hardik Pandya. Rishabh Pant with the kind of form and maturity; it's not only about the form but the maturity with which he's batted in test matches, I think he will be a matchwinner," Laxman said on Star Sports' show 'Game Plan'.

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"We have seen him play under pressure for Delhi Capitals and win matches. As a left-hand batsman, he gives that option where the opposition captain can feel the heat once he gets going. I think he is a great addition and I hope they don't judge him by one or two innings because if you're keeping in mind the world cup, it can be a long rope. Once he has the security, we know that he can win matches just by himself," he added.

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Pant has been in remarkable form over the last two-three months as he played good quality knocks at Sydney and Brisbane against Australia. The wicketkeeper-batsman was a destroyer in chief in the final and fourth Test at the Gabba, helping India breach Australia's fortress after a span of 32 years.

The youngster was not in the squad for the white-ball leg against Australia but his performances in the longest format have earned him a call-up into India's squad for the five-match series against England, beginning this Friday.