Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa feels that the reason behind Rishabh Pant’s lean patch is the mental fatigue caused by living in bio-bubbles for a long time and he needs a break to rejuvenate.
Rishabh Pant has been one of the revelations for the Indian cricket team since the start of this year when he played a huge role in India winning their second consecutive Test series in Australia. He then scored a century against England at home in the Test series and was at the top of his game with both the bat and keeping gloves.
The wicketkeeper batter has done considerably well in Test cricket, but his form in the shortest format of the game is of concern, well evident from his performance in the T20 World Cup 2021 and in the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, which India won 3-0.
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Even though he smashed a four in the first match to take India home, he struggled with his timing for most of the innings. The wicketkeeper batter smashed two consecutive sixes to win the game in the second match but failed to bail India out of trouble in the third game in Kolkata.
Pant came to bat when the hosts lost two quick wickets after a fiery start in the third T20I. He tried to take Mitchell Santner to the cleaners but only managed to hit the ball in the night sky and perished for just 4 runs, inviting criticism for playing a rash shot.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Robin Uthappa said that Rishabh Pant has been playing non-stop cricket for two years and has made himself available to play everything without complaining.
He explained that long durations inside multiple-bio bubbles cause a‘ lack of clarity’ or mental fatigue to the player, which can be the case with Rishabh Pant.
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“Rishabh has been on the road with the Indian team for a couple of years non-stop. He has made himself available to play anything and everything without complaining. To be constantly in a bubble saps you. I am certain that also has an implication on the way he performs on the field,”
“Maybe lack of clarity or mental fatigue, it could be just that as well. He is a high-class player and it’s a matter of time before he comes back and hits the ball the way we know he can. I think he deserves a bit of a break to just switch off from cricket," Robin Uthappa said.
Rishabh Pant has been rested for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will begin from 25th November.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
