Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta lauded explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant for finding his mojo back and said that Pant is enjoying his cricket a lot more.
Rishabh Pant’s turnaround in Test cricket has been a remarkable one. In the six Test matches in 2021 so far, the wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 515 runs at an exceptional average of 64.37 and is also India’s leading scorer in Test cricket this year.
The 23-years-old set stage on fire in Australia, where he played a few match-defining innings. Pant scored blistering 97 in Sydney, which helped Team India save the Test, and followed it up with an unbeaten 89 at the Gabba, which sealed a famous win for the visitors.
Rishabh Pant, however, carried his superb form with the bat against England, scoring two-plus scores to go with a brilliant Test ton in the fourth Test match.
Despite his success in Australia, Pant was still in a firing line for his wicketkeeping skills. He silenced all the critics as he displayed phenomenal glovework behind the wickets, pulling out some stunning catches and stumpings in the series against England.
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Talking about the same, former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta said that Rishabh Pant is enjoying his cricket at the moment and added that the latter has worked hard
"He is enjoying his cricket a lot more. Even when he is talking about the game, that pure love, passion, and enjoyment for the game are evident. Maybe a year ago, he was not doing it. That happens, that happens with everyone.
I mean, I have felt it myself. Suddenly when there is a lot of criticism, you stop enjoying the game and forget the reason why you're playing the game at all.
“And I think Rishabh when I look at him, that enjoyment factor is so much there. He is having fun. That doesn't mean he is not working. He has worked very hard. Two things stood out for me. One with his keeping, he has made a few changes." Deep Dasgupta told Star Sports.
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Dasgupta reiterated that Pant has improved as wicketkeeper and is a match-winner with the bat. He added that the only issue he previously had was his shot selection which has now improved 'drastically' as well.
"We have mentioned this before, about collecting the ball beside the body and being a lot more stable in his stance. As far as his batting is concerned, we have always mentioned he is a potential match-winner.
“The biggest issue was choosing the right ball and the right bowler. His shot selection and his ball selection have improved drastically in the last couple of series. Especially this hundred he got, he got his first 50 in 82 balls, he has understood that in Test match cricket, there is nothing called natural game. he said.
Deep Dasgupta further said that Pant has backed his instincts well and had understood the situation and conditions well.
"Yes you have to back your instincts but you also have to understand the situation and condition which he has done beautifully.. He played a little different from what he wanted to. Stepping out to James Anderson with the new ball, that was unbelievable." he concluded.
(Sports today inputs)
