In the recent years Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has been criticized heavily for his struggles in white ball cricket. While his Test numbers are exceptional, he has failed to replicate that form in T20s and ODIs. However in a recent interview Pant was heard saying that his white ball numbers are decent and time has not come to judge him yet as he is still young.
He shared how judging him at this stage of his career is not fair as he is only 25 years old. He feels it will be fair to judge his numbers once he has played for more years. “My white-ball record isn’t bad, I am just 25 years old. Comparison [in my numbers across formats] can be done when I’m 34. Before that, there is no logic in it for me,” Pant shared ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand.
The Indian wicketkeeper batter was asked whether he practices wicket keeping more than batting, to which he shared how there’s no fixed sTitle Page Separator Site title chedule as it depends on the pitch and the match conditions. “It’s usually the same until I feel like I need to practice keeping more, if it’s a turning track, or if I need to practice more batting. It’s all based on the feel. There is no downtime at all. I am going to Bangladesh and there are matches there directly,” shared the Delhi based youngster.
Pant has struggled for runs in the New Zealand tour as he scored 17 runs in two T20Is before only scoring 15 runs in the first One Day International.
Speaking about his preferred batting positioning, Pant shared that he would like to open in T20s and play at four in ODIs. In Test he prefers more of a lower role in No.5 as he has found most success in that position. He also shared that batting position depends on captain’s strategy and he is ready to take up newer roles.
“I would choose to open in T20s, four in ODIs. And of course, I’m batting at five in Tests. Of course, the game plan is different if I open or bat at four. But at the same time, the captain thinks about where you can give your best for the team…Wherever I get an opportunity, I look to give my best to the team,” Pant explained.
