Kirmani doesn't think KL Rahul has gifted keeping ability, that "immensely skilled"Pant has.
Former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani was one of the most skillful wicketkeepers that India has ever produced. He was a specialist wicketkeeper in the Indian cricket team in the past.
Well, since Kirmani’s retirement, the role of a wicketkeeper has been drastically changed, given the ever-evolving nature of cricket, as there were used to be the specialist pure wicketkeepers who were judged on the basis of their exploits behind the stump in the past, but now the role has completely revolutionized with teams picking a keeper on the basis of his batting skills.
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Now talks about Team India, MS Dhoni did a magical job behind the stumps, apart from his captaincy and batting and established himself as one the greatest keepers the game has ever seen.
But Dhoni’s absence has forced the management to heavily invest in Rishabh Pant, who was seen as the next big thing of Indian cricket and touted as the successor of legendary Dhoni, though he is yet to live up to the expectations and shine at the biggest stage as wicketkeeper-batsman.
Well, the things went awry last year as India has been employing the services of a makeshift wicketkeeper in KL Rahul in place of Pant because of his struggle with the bat and not so much impressive job behind the stump and Kirmani isn’t impressed with the approach.
Acknowledging that the wicketkeeping is the most thankless and difficult job in cricket, the legendary gloveman said Pant missed out on many chances but the talented player needs to be properly groomed.
Kirmani told Hindustan Times: “Do the knowledgeable know that a wicketkeeper has to be born? When I say born, he or she has to be gifted with “good vision, supported with athletic agility, reflexes, sense of anticipation. I am not sure if KL Rahul possesses this gifted ability, I have only seen this lad batting all by himself on a bowling machine at the NCA, before representing Karnataka. When he started keeping wickets, I don’t know. All the Best to him.”
He added, “Yes, Pant did not capitalize on the chances provided to him. Wicketkeeping is the most thankless and difficult job in cricket and I believe Pant has to be properly groomed. I agree that talent has to be encouraged, but mind you, in every profession, talented and promising youngsters have to be under the study of experienced seniors.”
Kirmani signed off by saying, “Otherwise a lot of water will go under the bridge by the time the youngster comes up to the expectations. Pant is immensely skilled. That skill will bloom and flourish with experience, it cannot be overnight. It will take a minimum of two seasons if one is a quick learner.”
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)