The chief selector MSK Prasad has said that Rishabh Pant is still in a work-in-progress. He has also advised that the youngster needs to relax and should not work under pressure.
Since the start of the homes series this season, Rishabh Pant is now and then scrutinised for his wrong moves in the cricket field. The youngster is the replacement of MS Dhoni in the team and has been taking the pressure to perform like the former Indian captain.
He has already lost his place from the Test squad to the experienced Wriddhiman Saha. If he performs poorly in limited-overs, he might lose his place to Sanju Samson who is knocking the door for an opportunity.
In support of the wicketkeeper-batsman, Prasad said that Pant hadn’t played domestic cricket because of which he has less experience. But he believes that Pant has time to improve himself.
“See, he is young and is still a work-in-progress. But there is a lot of time ahead for him. Since he got into the Indian side at a young age, he hasn’t played much domestic cricket. That is also one of the reasons,” Prasad added. “I am sure he will come back strong. It’s also good that this has happened early in his career.”
MSK Prasad advise to Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is the only Indian wicketkeeper to score a century in both Australia and England. In the early stage of his career, he impressed everyone with his bat, so Prasad feels that Pant should be backed.
However, Prasad has claimed that if Pant keeps his mind relax without taking pressure in the field, he will perform better.
“If you don’t keep well, it affects your batting. And if you don’t get runs, it affects your keeping. Whenever you are under pressure, you stiffen up. Your arms, shoulders, biceps, forearms — everything stiffens up. That’s when the ball starts popping out because of hard hands,” he said.
“When you are in a relaxed state of mind, the way you receive that ball is different from the way you collect when you are under pressure.”
“If he has that sort of ability, to get Test hundreds in Australia and England, he needs to be backed,” said Prasad.