Indian selectors grooming possible backups for Rishabh Pant in all formats

Mumbai: Just a day after Rishabh Pant got out again by playing a rash shot during the second T20I versus South Africa, chief selector MSK Prasad has stated that the selectors are grooming potential players who could be used as a backup wicket-keeper batsman for mis-firing Pant. However, despite that Pant will continue to be the first-choice until a suitable replacement is found, said the national chairman of selectors.

However, before the series against West Indies and South Africa began, the selectors stated that Rishabh Pant would be picked for the series versus West Indies and South Africa since they are aiming for the future.

During an interview with the Indian Express, MSK Prasad stated about managing Pant’s workload and the potential candidates, who would be Pant’s suitable replacement.

Speaking on the same lines, Prasad stated, “We are monitoring the workload of Rishabh. Of course, we have been grooming backups across all formats. We have the young KS Bharath doing well in the longer format for India A. We also have Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson doing well in the shorter formats for India ‘A’ and domestic cricket.”

The national chairman of selectors has stated that he still believes in Pant’s potential. “I have already said that post World Cup we have been concentrating on the progress of Rishabh. We need to be patient with him, considering the immense talent that he possesses,” the chief selector stated.

Pant, who currently is in the centre of a ‘careless-fearless’ debate, was advised by India’s new batting coach Vikram Rathour to think his innings through. “I think he is a phenomenal player. There is no doubt about that.

But what he needs to do is to sort his game plan. He needs to be more disciplined and all the young players like him need to understand that there is a fine line between fearless cricket and careless cricket.

What the team management is asking from them is to be fearless. About having a clear game plan and playing with intent. Focus should be batting to your strength and at the same time, one cannot be careless. I am sure they have started to understand that,” Rathour stated.

During the second T20I, no. 4 batsman Rishabh Pant came to the crease much ahead of Shreyas Iyer. When Pant walked in to bat, India were at 94/2 after 11.4 overs. India just needed 150 to win and the required rate was just under seven after Virat Kohli charged towards the Proteas bowlers. Despite having the situation under control, 21-year-old Pant got out by playing a rash shot.

After having played 11 Tests, 12 ODIs and 19 T20Is, the left-handed batsman managed to register only four 30-plus scores, and, perhaps, this could be the reason why the selectors have asked Dhoni to not retire before the 2020 T20 World Cup. The selectors aim is to get Pant trained and well ready for the next big ICC tournament.