Not very long ago, Rishabh Pant was all over the news outlets and social media. After impressing in the last year’s Under-19 World Cup, the Delhi star had taken domestic cricket by storm. The teenage sensation had hogged the limelight after slamming a belligerent 308 off 326 balls against Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy.
The left-handed batsman followed it up with a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand, one of the fastest first-class centuries by an Indian.
He then went on to show that the knocks were not a fluke, as he finished Ranji Trophy with a staggering 972 runs in only eight outings including four centuries and a couple of the fifties. He was rewarded for the brilliant show in domestic circuit in the form of a maiden call for India’s T20I team during the home series against England. He got to play just one more T20I against the Windies a few months ago and is now well off out of the frame.
His form after that has only made things tough for him. In five first-class games so far this season, he had managed just one half-century when he scored 67 for India A against New Zealand A. In three innings in Ranji Trophy, his scores read 30, 26 and 41.
And with questions being raised at his temperament, Delhi coach KP Bhaskar has leapt in defence of the 20-year old who has also been handed the captaincy of the side after Ishant Sharma’s departure.
“His style is not to block and occupy the crease. He can change the whole outcome of the game in a few overs. But shot selection is something he can work on, especially when playing for India and expectations are high. So then the responsibility automatically comes,” Bhaskar told ESPNcricinfo.
Calling Pant receptive and understanding, Bhaskar is hopeful the youngster is guided well by Tarak Sinha, his childhood coach. Bhaskar also made it clear he would not ask the youngster to change his style of play.
“He understands his role well. His coach at Sonnet Cricket Club, Mr Tarak Sinha, I’m sure, is keeping in touch with him and working on his game, because with me it’s only during the season,” he said. “But I’m sure Sinha would be guiding and advising him. He is quite receptive, but you can only advise. You can’t really force him to change the way you want him to play.”
“What we saw last year is that he has the staying power of scoring 300. So he can occupy the crease and score the big runs. There’s no point asking him to curb his instincts. Players like (Krishnamachari) Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil, Kapil Dev were natural stroke-makers. How can you force or stop them? It doesn’t make sense. He’s very natural that way,” he added.
Bhaskar also had a word of praise for Pant’s fitness and wicketkeeping and felt the Delhi youngster is the prime candidate to replace MS Dhoni on the national side.
“He may not be showing it, but deep down I’m sure he must be feeling it. Now that he is out of the [India] side, he has realised it and I’m sure he must be working hard on his temperament,” Bhaskar said. “His body language is the same as it was last year, but he looks much fitter, and his keeping has definitely improved.
“I have always told him: it’s easy to play for India, but your preparations – mental, physical and technical – are what will help cement yourself. That’s more important. And age is by his side. His advantage is that he’s a keeper along with batsman. (MS) Dhoni has been around for some time, but once Dhoni hangs his boots, I’m sure he will be a prime man to fill his boots.”
(Ranji Round Up: Mumbai Salvage a Draw; Abhishek Nayar Plays Match Saving Innings)
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