Very few players can match Rishabh Pant’s talent with the bat. But what really stands out is his ability to drive even the most measured person to go on a Hulk style rage, destroying everything in their path (you’re probably Loki in this scenario Pant… sorry). Oh Rishabh why do you do this to us?????
As a Delhi Capitals fan, I have had the pleasure (or pain?) of watching Pant bat for several years now. Let’s look back at the 2018 IPL season. He scored 684 runs in just 14 innings at a strike rate of 173.60, all whilst playing for the team that finished rock bottom of the league table! Even the harshest critics of Pant would have to admit these are remarkable figures. He played three innings fewer than the orange cap winner Kane Williamson and ended only 51 runs short of him, in the process hitting the highest number of fours and sixes. And so, I thought Pant was the game-changer the Indian team has been crying out for.
Fast forward 15 months and it just hasn’t happened for Pant. You could argue his case in test cricket; however, his figures in the shorter formats are simply not good enough. After 10 innings in one-day cricket, he averages just 22.90 with no fifties, let alone a century. In 17 t20 innings, he averages 21.57 with two fifties. These are underwhelming numbers. However, it’s the manner of the dismissals that is most concerning. Just look at the recent third ODI against West Indies. The way he ran down the pitch and tried to launch Allen through the leg side first ball suggests a complete lack of respect for the bowler and for his own wicket. Kohli’s reaction said it all. That’s a shot you’d expect from the likes of Shami, not one of the biggest talents in Indian cricket.
In fairness to Pant, there have been some good innings in between, take his 65* to bring India home in the 3rd t20 vs West Indies. The not out was especially impressive after seeing Pant be especially guilty of failing to take Delhi home in several IPL games this season. However, the bottom line is he needs to apply himself further. Too many times he plays a rash shot and loses his wicket. I would never seek to change his natural game; his flair is what means he is still one of the most exciting prospects for Indian cricket. That flair now needs the attitude to match it. The risks need to be more calculated and the thought process more refined. This is much easier said than done but Pant could do with taking a leaf out of Dhoni’s book.
I have no doubt Pant will do great things in the Indian blue. He has too much ability not too and the Indian team needs his X-factor. That’s without mentioning our long-time wicket keeper MS Dhoni is surely going to hang up his boots soon. However, Pant isn’t a kid anymore. He’s played a lot of high-level cricket across several formats and it’s time he steps up. The quicker the better because the likes of Shreyas Iyer are hot on his heels and there’s the little matter of the upcoming T20 world cup.
Chak De 