The 22-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is currently struggling in international cricket. Though he is facing many criticisms from the outside, the youngster is getting huge support from the entire national team. Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is also from the same domestic team (Delhi) as Pant, is guiding the youngster on how to handle this critical situation.
The pressure is rising up on Rishabh Pant day by day due to his consistent struggling performances. While his performances are dangling continuously, he is facing more and more criticisms from the outside. However, Shikhar Dhawan is strongly backing the youngster like the other Indian team members and guiding him on how to handle this situation.
Dhawan has advised Rishabh Pant to not follow what the media is talking about him.
Shikhar Dhawan told IANS, “I keep telling him that don’t see what is being said or written about you in the media. See, the point is that whatever you see or read will come into your mind. I don’t read any newspaper. I have trained myself that way because I know that if I have done well, they will write good things and if I don’t, they will write that. It is a journey. When I started, I also saw, but that is how you learn. Rishabh is a great talent and he will do really well in the long run.”
I am always on for Test cricket – Shikhar Dhawan
Though Shikhar Dhawan is playing regular limited-overs cricket for India, the 33-year-old last time played a Test match in September 2018. He is looking to return to the Test squad as soon as possible. Dhawan is even ready to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy when he will free from international cricket.
He said, “Absolutely looking to get back. I am always on for Test cricket and when I get the opportunity (in domestic cricket) I will be playing. I will play Ranji Trophy when I am free. I will not sit at home. When I am not playing all the three formats, I will definitely play domestic cricket.”
From Thursday (14th November), the hosts India and the visitors Bangladesh will be busy in the two-match Test series. While Holkar Stadium (Indore) is ready to host the opening Test of this series, Eden Gardens (Kolkata) will organise the next Test, which will be the historic first day-night Test in India. It will be also the first day-night pink-ball Test for both India and Bangladesh.
Shikhar Dhawan has no regret on missing out the upcoming historic day-night Test match.
Dhawan added, “No regrets on missing out. Not there, so might as well accept it and move on. I have accepted it and am working hard to come back strongly.”
Indian opener is confident on India’s success in the next T20 World Cup
The Indian team has started the preparation for the next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Shikhar Dhawan is confident that the team will perform very well in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.
Dhawan said, “We are strong contenders. From now onwards we will play so many T20s that we will get refined and be ready for the World T20. I am sure that we will do really well there.”