Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was once regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket and was even touted as MS Dhoni's successor in the team. But now the situation has come that the youngster is struggling to make it to the national squads.
Pant has had a roller-coaster journey from beginning his Test career with hundreds in Australia and England to being criticized for his poor glovework and his reckless approach, especially in crunch games.
However, the left-hander was given plenty of opportunities by the team management, but he failed to make the most of them and deliver consistently, eventually, he lost his place in the limited-overs team especially after his poor IPL 2020 campaign with the Delhi Capitals in the UAE.
He wasn’t named in India’s white-ball squad for the ongoing series in Australia and even he might not be picked for the upcoming Test series as well in the Playing XI since experienced Wriddhiman Saha has been keeping for India in the A games on the tour.
Reacting to Pant’s downfall, former Indian cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra said the youngster lost his place because of his own mistakes and he has only himself to blame for it.
He further pointed out that Pant’s presence in India’s white-ball XIs along with the in-form Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja would have made the batting a fabulous batting line-up.
Chopra said on Cricbuzz: “Just think about it, if Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja play at No.5, 6, and 7 for India, then suddenly you feel 'wow, what a team!'. But did Rishabh did enough for himself? This is one question that he will have to ask himself.”
He further added, “Rishabh Pant needed to understand this whenever he had the opportunity, he had to understand that the way he was getting out and whether he was able to finish the match or not. He has not made full use of the chances that he got and he only has himself to blame at this point in time.”
Chopra concluded, “Saha has been keeping for India A in the practice game against Australia A. It means that Rishabh Pant has even lost his spot in Test cricket. At one point in time, he was India's first-choice wicketkeeper across all three formats. He was also sent to the 2019 World Cup as a replacement.”
(Cricbuzz inputs)
