The local boy from Delhi, Rishabh Pant smashed a sensational knock of 128 against the toughest bowling side of the tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018.
The southpaw treated the Feroz Shah Kotla crowd to some electrifying strokeplay. His innings of 128 studded with 15 fours and seven sixes over the fence. He was severe on world-class pacer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the other bowlers as well. Later in the following games, he scores a couple of half-centuries as well.
Despite he getting among the runs, his franchise Delhi Daredevils had failed to make the most of it. Currently, the Delhi-based side is in no contention to make it to the playoffs of IPL 2018, and would instead be playing for their pride.
Now, in spite his excellent touch, Pant hasn’t been on the international radar quite often. He was given his maiden break a year back.
However, a long run hasn’t been provided to the youngster yet. Given his six hitting abilities, he can make in the national team at least in the shortest version purely as a batsman. However, there are obvious reasons why the selectors are preserving the young talent for the future.
So here are five possible reasons that why Pant hasn’t been given an extended run in India colours
The Obvious presence of MS Dhoni
Until and unless MS Dhoni retires from ODI and T20I cricket, there is hardly any place available as a wicket-keeper.
Certainly, if Dhoni hadn’t fired in this tournament, critics would have been behind the World-Cup winning skipper. Pant has been a sensational power hitter for his franchise.
However, his place cannot be guaranteed unless and until Dhoni calls it quits. Given he is a wicket-keeper by nature, it won’t be an easy task for him to break into the Indian playing XI purely as a batsman.