Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has admitted that he was surprised to see Rishabh Pant included in India’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, he also believes that wearing the India jersey again could help Pant return to his best.

De Villiers said Pant did not look at his usual level during the IPL and felt he lacked confidence and energy. Even so, he expects the wicketkeeper-batter to raise his game in international cricket.

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Happy for Saransh Jain

De Villiers was also pleased to see Saransh Jain earn his maiden India call-up at the age of 33 after years of strong performances in domestic cricket.

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He said Jain’s experience and all-round ability could prove valuable for India, especially on turning pitches.

He also praised Jain’s domestic record and believes he can give captain Shubman Gill another useful bowling option when the ball gets older.

On VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir

De Villiers also shared his thoughts on VVS Laxman taking charge of the Indian team during the Zimbabwe series in Gautam Gambhir’s absence. He wondered if Laxman’s stint could create healthy competition within the coaching setup.

Strong Reaction to ‘Clicky Ponting’ Incident

The former South Africa captain also reacted to the controversial “clicky Ponting” incident in English club cricket. He said there is no place for any kind of cheating in the game and stressed that players should always compete fairly.

De Villiers made it clear that trying to fool an umpire by creating a fake sound is against the spirit of cricket.