The Rishabh Pant thread

[Rajdeep]

Think a case can be made now to drop Pant from T20 cricket due to his elongated poor form and fitness.

However, since the world T20 is in Australia, where Pant has got a good record...it will be a difficult call from selectors.

Pant has also been playing consistently for India. Every other all format players take rest in between but he never does. So I think we should give him a rest in the upcoming white ball tour of Eng and WI. Let him rejuvenate and come back for the Asia Cup/WT20.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I don't understand. Look how many games he's played for India': Legends slam Pant's call to send Axar ahead of Karthik

When asked to pin point one area where India faltered in the second T20I, cricket legends slammed Pant's decision to send bowling all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of Dinesh Karthik to bat.

Rishabh Pant's captaincy came under scrutiny after Team India endured a second successive defeat in the ongoing five-match series against South Africa. After losing the opener in New Delhi last week, India's plot to make a comeback at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday was destroyed as South Africa scripted a four-wicket win to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match contest. And when asked to pin point one area where India faltered in the second T20I, cricket legends slammed Pant's decision to send bowling all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of Dinesh Karthik to bat.

After a 45-run stand for the second wicket between Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, India lost three quick wickets. Keshav Maharaj got the better of the India captain while Wayne Parnell dismissed Hardik Pandya as India slipped from 48/1 in the seventh over to 90/4 in the 13th.

With seven more overs to go, Pant decided to send Axar ahead of their most-experienced batter in the line-up, Karthik, a move that left India to settle with 148 for six. Axar was dismissed for just 9 runs by Anrich Nortje while Karthik, who walked in next, added an unbeaten 21-ball 30, laced with two sixes and as many boundaries.

Talking to Star Sports after the match, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar was furious as Pant's call and explained that while Karthik is being hailed as a "finisher", at times when India lose early wickets, he can be sent a bot early, rather than reserving him only for the slog overs, so that he can get the feel of the pitch even better and work accordingly.

"Sometimes there are these labels like 'finisher'. And when you talk about a finisher you think he will come to bat only after the 15th over. He can't come in the 12th or the 13th over. And we have seen these happen in the IPL as well. Lot of teams have only kept their big hitters for the last 4-5 overs. When actually, if they had been sent earlier, because they have the ability to work things around, they don't necessarily have to hit sixes from the time they come in. The fact that when they get to the batting area and work the ball around, they get the feel of the wicket and they can bat accordingly in the last 4-5 overs," he said.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who was part of the same discussion, was left speechless on the tactic and pointed out Karthik's experience as a batter in international cricket.

"I don't understand. When Karthik is one of the most experienced cricketers in India. Look at how many games he has played for India. Never mind the IPL. How can you Axar Patel ahead him. This is mind blowing," he said.

South Africa suffered a top-order collapse in their chase courtesy to Bhuvneshwar Kumar's sensational spell with the new ball. But India the 64-run stand between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller helped South Africa bounce back into the game and complete the chase in 18.2 overs.

"No doubt Dinesh Karthik performed really well but he should have walked out to bat at least before Axar Patel. Normally we say that there are very limited number of balls to face in T20 and most of the batters want to bat up the order. Dinesh Karthik is a player whom you want to keep for the last 3-4 overs. But he had to come early as Hardik Pandya was dismissed but if he should have come ahead of Axar Patel and given himself 10-15 balls, probably he would have done more damage to the opponent. 149 could have been 169 had he given himself the opportunity.

“So moving forward it shouldn't be that Dinesh Karthik is kept for the last three overs. If you are a specialised batter and you're batting at number 6 then it's your job to play in tough situations, give yourself more chances. And inflict the damage in the last three overs,” said former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir after the match on Star Sports.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ad-of-dinesh-karthik-101655057665113-amp.html

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I think both Pant and Pandya don't want to see Karthik in the team.

 

[Rajdeep]

Pretty sure that was Rahul Dravid's call to send left handed Axar ahead of DK.

And even if it was Pant's decision, Dravid could have easily over ruled since he is a young stand in captain.

 

[Local.Dada]

Pretty sure that was Rahul Dravid's call to send left handed Axar ahead of DK.

And even if it was Pant's decision, Dravid could have easily over ruled since he is a young stand in captain.

Never understood what decision is taken by coach and what decisions are taken by Capt.

Having said that Dravid is too big of a personality for people to override his decisions. Maybe a Rohit or Kohli can differ but don’t see Pant overriding him.

 

[RamLakhan]

You are more than welcome join his IPL performances because you have started to sound like a frustrated sore loser.

Why will I talk about his test performances now when the T20 series is going on? You want me to sing praises for his test performances in Australia ignoring his performances in NZ, SA and WC. You are taking f@nboyism to a whole new level.

Then why do you bring IPL everywhere when International Matches are going on? A classic hallmark of a loser!

 

[RamLakhan]

If Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Kartik (and also Sanju Samson in reckoning) are playing in the same team with Pant (all keepers) it shows lack of sense in the management and also poor pool of batting talent (or poor management of the available resources! Ideally only 1 of them should be playing at a time...

 

[MP2011]

If Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Kartik (and also Sanju Samson in reckoning) are playing in the same team with Pant (all keepers) it shows lack of sense in the management and also poor pool of batting talent (or poor management of the available resources! Ideally only 1 of them should be playing at a time...

We did this during WC '19 too and duly paid the price. That time we played 3 WKs in the all important SF game!

 

[RamLakhan]

We did this during WC '19 too and duly paid the price. That time we played 3 WKs in the all important SF game!

Yeah, I am sure a batsman like Shreyas Iyer would have done much better!

 

[Ab Fan]

We did this during WC '19 too and duly paid the price. That time we played 3 WKs in the all important SF game!

Wrong. We had strengthened our batting lineup in that game based on the squad we had.

DK in for Kedhar Jadhav
Jadeja in for Kuldeep( Jadeja was batting at 8)
Bhuvi in for Shami( Bhuvi at 9)

So, we failed to chase 240 even with our no.8 hitting a 58 ball 79 in that game. In the games vs England and before, we were having Yuzi, Kuldeep, Shami and Bumrah which means 4 tailenders.

 

[MP2011]

Wrong. We had strengthened our batting lineup in that game based on the squad we had.

DK in for Kedhar Jadhav
Jadeja in for Kuldeep( Jadeja was batting at 8)
Bhuvi in for Shami( Bhuvi at 9)

So, we failed to chase 240 even with our no.8 hitting a 58 ball 79 in that game. In the games vs England and before, we were having Yuzi, Kuldeep, Shami and Bumrah which means 4 tailenders.

Just because we picked wrong squad for the WC doesn't mean what we did during WC SF was any good! That was a very poor batting team for a knock out game of a WC!

 

[MP2011]

Yeah, I am sure a batsman like Shreyas Iyer would have done much better!

Yeah, even Iyer would have been a better choice than playing 3 WKs in XI!

PS: I'm saying even Iyer as I've my reservations about him being a long term option as he has too many weaknesses in his game especially against fast bowling.

 

[MP2011]

Even after top order failing (5/3), we could've and should've chased 240 if we didn't have a muddled selection policies of Kohli who just didn't allow any kind of middle order to be built for the WC.

We were like top-3 or nothing.

 

[Ab Fan]

Just because we picked wrong squad for the WC doesn't mean what we did during WC SF was any good! That was a very poor batting team for a knock out game of a WC!

I don't think we could play a better batting lineup than that. The problem was execution of the batsman, their batting order and the non clarity of roles. In that game, actually we had weakened our bowling as Pandya was our third pacer and Jadeja was our second spinner. No Shami, no Kuldeep. We actually got away with that fragile bowling attack as we only had to chase 240 in that game.

 

[MP2011]

I don't think we could play a better batting lineup than that. The problem was execution of the batsman, their batting order and the non clarity of roles. In that game, actually we had weakened our bowling as Pandya was our third pacer and Jadeja was our second spinner. No Shami, no Kuldeep. We actually got away with that fragile bowling attack as we only had to chase 240 in that game.

Bowling wasn't a worry for us, batting was and that proved to be our undoing in that WC.

You can't win a world tourney on the basis of just 3 bats which was what we learned the hard way in the semis.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Then why do you bring IPL everywhere when International Matches are going on? A classic hallmark of a loser!

I will bring IPL into discussion if it has affected India's preparation, international schedule or because of IPL some important player got injured before a test series.

You on the other hand are bringing his performances in Aus only to counter his poor performances these days is nothing more than a desperation. You are ignoring his WC performances and his performances in NZ and SA also. If you want to have a healthy and neat debate without name calling or getting personal, you are more than welcome to have it but bring all his performances on the table and don't run away like you always do.

 

[RamLakhan]

I will bring IPL into discussion if it has affected India's preparation, international schedule or because of IPL some important player got injured before a test series.

You on the other hand are bringing his performances in Aus only to counter his poor performances these days is nothing more than a desperation. You are ignoring his WC performances and his performances in NZ and SA also. If you want to have a healthy and neat debate without name calling or getting personal, you are more than welcome to have it but bring all his performances on the table and don't run away like you always do.

Bringing all into table he is the best wicket-keeper batsman at the moment. It is not that only he is the problem in the team right now. There are many more issues in this team... Kohli's unexpected loss of form, Rohit's aging just when he was looking good (in tests that is), Bumrah's ups & downs, Rahul's inconsistency (both form & fitness), unsettled middle-order batting (in all formats), only huge strength in LOIs (Dhawan/Rohit/Kohli - Top 3 is no more now!), another good strength that we developed recently - fast bowling brigade is slowly turning into trundler factory (at 1 point of time we have even Pandya cracking 140+km/hr and providing such great balance to team as 3rd/4th pacer), yes even Pant's inconsistency across formats (including IPL) is a worry (its not that I am blindly supporting him), slowly our spinners are also becoming ineffective (except home tests) - at one point our spinners used to be lethal at least in overseas LOIs... There are so many issues!

But you will say that all this is because of IPL. If IPL is banned then magically everything will be put back in line (as if we were a lethal team before the advent of IPL!)

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

I will bring IPL into discussion if it has affected India's preparation, international schedule or because of IPL some important player got injured before a test series.

You on the other hand are bringing his performances in Aus only to counter his poor performances these days is nothing more than a desperation. You are ignoring his WC performances and his performances in NZ and SA also. If you want to have a healthy and neat debate without name calling or getting personal, you are more than welcome to have it but bring all his performances on the table and don't run away like you always do.

For once, am in total agreement with you. There are several times i feel these guys who are resting now could have forgone the IPL to represent India against SAF in the international cricket that really matters.
I really feel IPL is now proving detrimental to Jasprit's bowling, he is regressing - loosing his edge. Since the back injury in 2019 he has not bowled the same.
I am all for a shorter sharper IPL and if this means lesser teams so be it.
But if there could be direct co-relation of reduced performance/intensity due to the IPL - i wish some how this could be quantified and if it exists, improved upon.

 

[Saj]

T20I numbers are hardly earth shattering.

723 runs in 40 innings at an average of 23.32. Strike rate of 125.95.

Seems to be losing his way.

 

[pratiktc]

His T20I career numbers are more result of poor role clarity in early part of his career.

It will change significantly over next 30-40 games.

Pant is India's first choice keeper bat and first choice no.5 batter across all formats. Few misses in T20s will not change this fact.

Also there is nothing wrong in having 5 wk bats in team if they are best players

Ishan and Sanju will soon join Pant and KLR in T20I setup after this Kohli/Rohit exit T20I format as pure batters.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

For once, am in total agreement with you. There are several times i feel these guys who are resting now could have forgone the IPL to represent India against SAF in the international cricket that really matters.
I really feel IPL is now proving detrimental to Jasprit's bowling, he is regressing - loosing his edge. Since the back injury in 2019 he has not bowled the same.
I am all for a shorter sharper IPL and if this means lesser teams so be it.
But if there could be direct co-relation of reduced performance/intensity due to the IPL - i wish some how this could be quantified and if it exists, improved upon.

Thanks for understanding my point.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Bringing all into table he is the best wicket-keeper batsman at the moment. It is not that only he is the problem in the team right now. There are many more issues in this team... Kohli's unexpected loss of form, Rohit's aging just when he was looking good (in tests that is), Bumrah's ups & downs, Rahul's inconsistency (both form & fitness), unsettled middle-order batting (in all formats), only huge strength in LOIs (Dhawan/Rohit/Kohli - Top 3 is no more now!), another good strength that we developed recently - fast bowling brigade is slowly turning into trundler factory (at 1 point of time we have even Pandya cracking 140+km/hr and providing such great balance to team as 3rd/4th pacer), yes even Pant's inconsistency across formats (including IPL) is a worry (its not that I am blindly supporting him), slowly our spinners are also becoming ineffective (except home tests) - at one point our spinners used to be lethal at least in overseas LOIs... There are so many issues!

But you will say that all this is because of IPL. If IPL is banned then magically everything will be put back in line (as if we were a lethal team before the advent of IPL!)

Yeah he is not the only problem in this team but this thread is about Rishabh Pant and so I am going to only talk about his performances here.

If you still want to talk about Bumrah's ups and downs, Kohli's loss of form and KL Rahul's inconsitency then they can all be linked to IPL. These guys give their all in IPL these days and when the international cricket starts they are nowhere to be seen both physically and mentally.

 

[Mesozoic]

He is terrible at picking gaps and shot selection too is below par. And he doesn't have the technique and power to hit those brutal sixes to ease off the pressure. He should be dropped in T20is now.

He will do well in Tests as the field will be up and in ODIs where he doesn't have to hack at every 2-3 balls.

 

[RamLakhan]

He is terrible at picking gaps and shot selection too is below par. And he doesn't have the technique and power to hit those brutal sixes to ease off the pressure. He should be dropped in T20is now.

He will do well in Tests as the field will be up and in ODIs where he doesn't have to hack at every 2-3 balls.

Sehwag also had similar issues I guess. Clicked only in tests and had ordinary ODI outing. Doesn't have anything to show in T20s (this format was not that prominent during his prime playing days though)

 

[RamLakhan]

Yeah he is not the only problem in this team but this thread is about Rishabh Pant and so I am going to only talk about his performances here.

If you still want to talk about Bumrah's ups and downs, Kohli's loss of form and KL Rahul's inconsitency then they can all be linked to IPL. These guys give their all in IPL these days and when the international cricket starts they are nowhere to be seen both physically and mentally.

I am interested to know your opinion about your idol Sehwag during his actual playing days! He had similar issues like Pant...

I once again iterate you have huge phobia about IPL and the entities who got fame through IPL... You didn't answer to the question "Did India had a lethal team before the advent of IPL?" and "Will the ban of IPL magically solve all the issues which we are going through...?"

Do you want to go back to 90s days where we were getting hammered by Sri Lanka and your favorite team regularly! You didn't answer to this also! Sharjah was like olden age IPL for us! (Because even there we saw match-fixing, anti-patriotism, players favoring money over nation, players getting physically & mentally sick, administrators getting greedy and organizing more matches blindly, etc!) Because the show has to run (players should make money, and people need entertainment) at all times!

I have also pointed out the bad stuffs in IPL if you had observed... The cheer girls which anyway has gone out now, the night clubs, too much commercialism, no-knowledge Corporate IPL Owners making cricketing decisions, etc. Also I insisted for reduction of number of matches, lesser teams (or bring in pool/group format). The tournament should not cross more than 20-30 days. Still money can be made. But they are going too greedy, the corporates making more money than cricketers/administrators themselves!

But that doesn't mean that the whole IPL should be banned for these reasons (like you say!) It has definitely brought in some positives. Ideally it should be like English county cricket where foreign players should be allowed to take part (an improvised version of domestic cricket!) But we are not living in an ideal world... In fact I was not that much keen in this year's season. 10 teams were too much.. But still some commercialism/professionalism is very much needed in modern sports!

Anyways your hatred for IPL and some players is unimaginable! At most times it looks like you are trying to appease the ones who suffered because of IPL....

BCCI prior to IPL were looking to organize India v Pakistan series whenever they wanted to enhance their financial treasury! They were seeing for an opportunity to get permission from Government, waiting for tensions to release in the borders, etc! This always used to raise the eyebrows of Indians & irk their patriotism. Now it is only our neighbors who are complaining about it (obviously because they have the same financial tensions now!) Also we were requesting and inviting poorer boards like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, WI to participate in a quick series... If you really saw that - it was a pain to see B-teams (with main players rested) play these meaningless matches! All these stopped after IPL... (In IPL we see top players competing in all matches which looks good for us, but you have different reservations, a totally different thinking about it!) We are much more self-reliant now! Instead of those meaningless kit-ply, cycle agarabatti cups (ODI) we are seeing intense 4/5 matches fiercely competed overseas tests! In the past England/Australia were not interested in long test-series with India...

If IPL was such a bane we would not have seen all these positives...

But I know very much that I am preaching to a devil...

 

[Mesozoic]

Sehwag also had similar issues I guess. Clicked only in tests and had ordinary ODI outing. Doesn't have anything to show in T20s (this format was not that prominent during his prime playing days though)

Some players are gifted with timing and stroke play but not so much with placement and field awareness. Pant and sehwag are some of those. Tests are the ideal format for such guys. T20s require a whole different skill set like power and placement along with hand-eye coordination (though Sehwag was gifted in this regard).

 

[RamLakhan]

Some players are gifted with timing and stroke play but not so much with placement and field awareness. Pant and sehwag are some of those. Tests are the ideal format for such guys. T20s require a whole different skill set like power and placement along with hand-eye coordination (though Sehwag was gifted in this regard).

There is no shame if Pant plays mainly in tests and sticks to only IPL. I don't mind if he doesn't play international T20s & ODIs...

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

There is no shame if Pant plays mainly in tests and sticks to only IPL. I don't mind if he doesn't play international T20s & ODIs...

Then don't cry or defend him here if I or anyone else says the same thing. He is not good in LOIs especially T20s. I will say it on your face even if it hurts your ego.

 

[RamLakhan]

Then don't cry or defend him here if I or anyone else says the same thing. He is not good in LOIs especially T20s. I will say it on your face even if it hurts your ego.

Everyone knows who has huge ego when it comes to IPL We will say it on your entire body even if it bruises you that IPL has done more good to Indian Cricket than bad (and not like how it has tormented you and how you accuse!) If IPL has to be banned, then ban whole cricket itself from India (if you think Indian Economy is at stake due to it)

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Everyone knows who has huge ego when it comes to IPL We will say it on your entire body even if it bruises you that IPL has done more good to Indian Cricket than bad (and not like how it has tormented you and how you accuse!) If IPL has to be banned, then ban whole cricket itself from India (if you think Indian Economy is at stake due to it)

Yeah we can see that.

 

[MenInG]

Yeah we can see that.

17 (23) - poor outing for him again.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

For a captain of India, to keep getting out in same manner...': Gavaskar rips into Rishabh Pant after another failure

Sunil Gavaskar didn't mince his words as he lashed out at Rishabh Pant after the Indian captain was dismissed on 17 off 23 deliveries in the fourth T20I against South Africa.

Team India captain Rishabh Pant endured yet another failure with the bat during the T20I series against South Africa. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman's struggling stay at the crease came to an end at merely 17 off 23 balls and his dismissal has almost become a pattern. For the third time in the series, Pant was dismissed while chasing the delivery wide outside-off, as he attempted to clear the fence.

Pant departed in the second-last delivery of the 13th over of the innings, following a nervy start from the Indian team. Following his dismissal, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar criticised the youngster on his shot-selection.

“He hasn't learned. He hasn't learned from his previous three dismissals. They throw wide, and he keeps going for it. He can't throw enough muscle on that. He has got to stop looking to go aerial that far outside the off-stump,” said Gavaskar during his commentary stint on Star Sports.

“There is no way he's going to get enough on it. It has gone to short-third! They all plan it, South African bowlers and Temba Bavuma… just bowl wide outside the off-stump and you will get him.”

Furthermore, analysing Pant's dismissal, Gavaskar said that the wicketkeeper-batter would never be able to generate enough power on the shot because he is very far from the ball.

“10 times, he has been dismissed wide outside off-stump (in T20s in 2022). Some of them would've been called wide if he hadn't made contact with it. Because he's so far away, he has to reach out for it. He will never get enough power on it. To keep getting out in the same series in the same manner, for a captain of the Indian team, that's not a good sign,” said Gavaskar.

Earlier in the game, South Africa had won the toss and opted to bowl in Rajkot.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...g-out-in-same-manner-101655477069872-amp.html

He is turning into another Umar Akmal.

 

[RamLakhan]

Yeah we can see that.

Winning world cup (with more competitive teams), champions trophy, Test Series victory on Australian Soil, continuous top position in test ranking, all happened after IPL.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pant has played 75% of his matches away from home and at age of 24, he has already completed two tours of Australia and England which tells us that he is without a doubt a better batsman than what his average of 40 shows.

Some players may not have great batting average but they have arguably done better than that. Pant is one of them. He is pretty much set to become the second greatest keeper batsman of all-time as far as tests are concerned. He will have to perform poorly from here to achieve the status lesser than that.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

'Rishabh is overweight. Being bulky doesn't give him much time': Ex-PAK bowler questions Pant's fitness after flop show

Rishabh Pant has struggled to score big in the ongoing T20I series. The stand-in India captain has been able to gather just 57 runs in four games so far.

Before the start of the T20 assignment against South Africa, maverick Rishabh Pant said he will make the most of his unexpected chance to captain India after KL Rahul was ruled out to injury. Four games hence, the stand-in captain's poor showing with the bat is a hot topic of debate, especially when the Indian team is trying to find the perfect eleven in the lead-up to this year's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Trying to reach for the ball that's not in his hitting arc, the 24-year-old Pant has been caught in the deep multiple times in the series. The Proteas bowlers have plotted Pant's dismissal by sticking to a wide line and the Indian looks to iron out chinks in the series decider in Bengaluru on June 19 (Sunday).

While the focus remains on Pant's leadership and lean patch with the willow, former Pakistan tweaker Danish Kaneria has pointed out a wicketkeeping flaw as well. Kaneria feels Pant doesn't crouch much behind the sticks due to his weight.

“I want to talk about Pant's wicketkeeping. I've noticed one thing – he doesn't squat lower and sit on his toes when a fast bowler is bowling. Seems like he is overweight and being bulky doesn't give him that much time to come up quickly. It raises concern over his fitness. Is he 100 per cent fit? But when it comes to his captain, bowlers and batters including Hardik and Karthik have supported him well. Pant also has a chance to become the first captain to win a T20 series against South Africa,” said Kaneria on his YouTube channel.

Kaneria further lavished praise on Dinesh Karthik, who notched up his maiden T20I fifty to add crucial runs to India's total at Rajkot. The in-form batter teamed up with Hardik Pandya and the pair revived the innings with a brisk partnership of 65 runs.

Karthik smashed nine fours and two sixes in his entertaining 55-run knock, while Hardik hit 46 off 31 balls.

"India were struggling big time but Hardik and Karthik helped the team get to 169. Karthik loves to sweep and use his feet. Everything was going his way. It was a 'DK Day'. He batted with maturity. Hardik also showed responsibility. He started off cautiously but produced big hits in the end. He played a gem of an innings," said Kaneria.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ia-questions-fitness-101655572553923-amp.html

He is basically saying the same thing which I said. He is overweight now and those who think fitness doesn't matter in cricket should read the bolded part again. It does matter a lot for a wicketkeeper. You can't carry a 'dholak' and keep wickets at the same time.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Shouldnt be playing all 3 formats. Npw with the additional burden of captaincy. Pant has been overburdened.

 

[asadee]

Gully Mohalla level player

 

[Firebat]

India vs South Africa 5th T20: Rishabh Pant is overweight and bulky, former Pakistan cricketer slams India captain

India captrain in the ongoing South Africa T20 series Rishabh Pant is struggling for runs currently. With a series of low scores in the five-match series, Pant has been criticised by former cricketers and experts. Sunil Gavaskar feels that Pant is not learning from his mistakes and has issus playing the ball outside the off stump line as he tends to lose his balance. Joining the chorus of criticism is former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria who has pointed out weaknesses in his wicketkeeping skills now. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaneria slammed fitness of Pant and said that he is overweight and his bulky body does not allow him to squat well which eventually affects his keeping.

"I want to talk about Pant's wicketkeeping. I've noticed one thing – he doesn't squat lower and sit on his toes when a fast bowler is bowling. Seems like he is overweight and being bulky doesn't give him that much time to come up quickly. It raises concern over his fitness. Is he 100 per cent fit? But when it comes to his captain, bowlers and batters including Hardik and Karthik have supported him well. Pant also has a chance to become the first captain to win a T20 series against South Africa," Kaneria said.

At the same time, Kaneria was all praise for India's 'finishers' Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik. He said that Karthik and Pandya were the reason why India reached 169 after struggling at the start. He added that it was Karthik's day and that he used his ability to sweep rather well and that h batted with maturity. He also said that Hardik showed a lot of maturity with the bat, after starting cautiously, he produced big shots in the end, playing a gem of an innings.

India managed to win two back-to-back wins after losing first 2 games. Now the series will be decided in Bengaluru on Sunday (June 19). The winner of the Sunday decider will take the trophy with them. The match will be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and will start at 7 pm IST. The toss will take place at 6.30 pm IST. Fans can watch the match on Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar. They can also follow the live updates from the game on Zee News English.

https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/i...nish-kaneria-slams-india-captain-2475557.html

 

[Ab Fan]

Gully Mohalla level player

Leading run scorer for India in tests this decade, what an achievement for a wicket keeper batsman coming to bat at 6 generally, having already completed the tough tours of Australia, South Africa and England during this period

 

[MenInG]

Under-fire Rishabh Pant's chances in the India squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup has become the most-talked about topic in the cricket fraternity. A poor return with the bat in the recently-concluded home series against South Africa saw many ruling out the youngster for the big event in Australia later this year. And amid this debate, India head coach Rahul Dravid made a huge statement on Pant's chances in the World Cup squad.

Pant, who led India to a 2-2 draw against South Africa in the five-match T20I series with the series decider abandoned due to rain on Sunday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, scored only 58 runs in five innings for India at a strike rate of just 105. But more than his run tally it has been his similar sort of dismissal that has led to the concern around his place in the India T20I set-up.

However, Dravid clarified on Sunday that Pant is a "big" and "integral" of India's plan in the build-up to the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"Personally, he would have liked to score a few more runs but it is not concerning him. Certainly, he is a very big part of our plans going ahead in next few months," Dravid said during the post-match press conference.

The former India captain admitted that he won't be judging Pant based on one series and highlighted the importance of a player of Pant's calibre in the middle-order.

"I just don't want to be critical. In the middle overs, you need people to play slightly attacking brand of cricket, to take the game on a little more. Sometimes it's very hard to judge it based on two or three games," the head coach said.

In fact, Dravid reminded critics about Pant's strike-rate of 158 plus during IPL 2022 where he scored 340 runs for Delhi Capitals.

"I think he had a pretty good IPL in terms of strike-rate even though it might not have looked good on averages. In IPL, he looked to move up a little bit (in terms of averages) and probably three years ago he was on those numbers. We are hoping that we can get those numbers from him at the international level."

"In the process (of playing an attacking game), he might go wrong in a few games but he remains an integral part of our batting line-up with the power he has and the fact that he is a left-hander is important to us in the middle overs, he played some good knocks," he said.

HindustanTimes

 

[Slim]

So far Rishab Pant is trash in T20Is, mediocre in ODIs, and a decent batsman in tests. A very mediocre keeper btw.

Definitely overrated and over-hyped at the moment by indian fans.

 

[Varun]

I kept dissing him as an IPL superhero but somebody pointed out to me that he's hardly done anything in the IPL as well? Is it true?

 

[Ab Fan]

At the moment, he is a test match superstar only. Averages 40 in tests for keeper batsman despite playing a lot of away games.

Imagine Sehwag for that matter playing overseas games(outside Asia) mostly and then his career average would have been barely 42-43.

 

[Slim]

Pant is better than Rizwan. You have to be delusional to argue otherwise.

That doesn’t mean Rizwan isn’t an excellent player. He clearly is, but Pant is a once in a lifetime talent.

Bro, you know you and me both go back a long way and are mostly on the same side but this assessment is so wrong lol

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Pant's test average will come down too. Teams have started to figure him out.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It's not necessary to hit the ball out of stadium': Ex-IND WK questions Pant's batting tactics after flop show vs SA

Rishabh Pant will be next seen in action during the fifth Test of the series against England between July 1-5.

The fifth and deciding T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned due to rain in Bangalore, with the series ending level at 2-2. Both teams shared honours after the last game was called off with only 3.3 overs of play possible. India captain Rishabh Pant, who was named the skipper after a last-minute injury to KL Rahul, said there are a lot of positives to take from the assignment but underlined his personal form as well.

The 24-year-old Pant made his debut as India captain but managed scores of just 29, 5, 6 and 17. Notably, Pant, who is known for his fearless batting approach, perished while attempting to fetch the ball from wide outside off stump. His pattern of dismissals also led to batting great Sunil Gavaskar saying the youngster "hasn't learned" from earlier dismissals and "he keeps going for it".

Speaking about Pant's shot selection, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel highlighted that he is trying to hit the ball with too much power. "Pant has said that he gives his 100 per cent all the time, but every player does that. When it comes to his shot selection, it is not necessary to hit the ball out of the stadium. It will still be a six if the ball just crosses the rope," he told Cricbuzz.

Dinesh Karthik, another wicketkeeper-batsman in the team, scored 92 runs in the series including a match-winning 55 in the fourth T20. Parthiv explained how the emergence of Karthik and Ishan Kishan will put "pressure" on Pant, who is currently the first-choice option behind the sticks.

"The pressure will increase on Pant when the likes of Kohli, Rohit and Rahul return. Also, there will be a series before the England tour begins and Sanju Samson has a chance of doing well there. There are also other options like Ishan Kishan and Dinesh Karthik," said Parthiv.

Following the fifth T20I, Pant himself talked about his poor returns with the willow. "From a personal point of view, I would like to contribute more to make my team win. I can only think about giving my 100 per cent as a player and captain," he said in the post-match presentation.

Pant hailed the fighting spirit of his team, which had lost the first two games of the series. "there are a lot of positives, especially the way the whole team showed character after the series was 2-0. We are trying to find different ways of winning matches, we are trying to play in a new way."

Pant will be next seen in action during the fifth Test of the series against England between July 1-5.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-ball-out-of-stadium-101655725184174-amp.html

 

[Mp812]

Based on his performance in IPL 2022 and the 5 T20's with SA, he may not get into the team for World T20 tournament to be held in Oct 2022. Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul , Ishan kishan,all of them can keep wickets and are scoring consistently at good rate needed by T20 standards.
Even that Samson guy is probably in better form as of now than Pant.
So to me Pant looks to be a spot of bother with regards to his place in the team.

 

[Mamoon]

Bro, you know you and me both go back a long way and are mostly on the same side but this assessment is so wrong lol

Pant has won his country a Test series in Australia. The last time Pakistan did not lose a Test match in Australia, Miandad was still playing international cricket.

Pant is currently out of form and seems to lack match fitness, but he is bigger than the entire current Pakistan team because his achievements in the purest form of the game are greater than anyone in the current Pakistan team.

 

[Technics 1210]

Pant's Test centuries in Australia were nothing but a fluke. Anyone can see this.

 

[RamLakhan]

Pant's Test centuries in Australia were nothing but a fluke. Anyone can see this.

Nobody can fluke Test Centuries at least in pressure situations (I agree some meaningless centuries like Agarkar in Lords can be termed as fluke). I agree Pant is out of form, should work bit on his fitness, but more than that he should be guided/handed properly, else his career can go in wrong direction. To start with he should not be burdened with captaincy...

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Pant's Test centuries in Australia were nothing but a fluke. Anyone can see this.

Won't call his innings fluke but yeah he was very lucky in those innings. Australians missed a stumping chance and dropped his catch. Funny thing is Prithvi Shaw who was an opener was blamed for India's loss in the day night test against Australia but Gill who laid the foundation in the Gabba test with his 91 didn't get any credit. Pant did try to throw his wicket away in his trademark style when he was batting on 51 in Gabba test also but Tim Paine gave him a life. So yeah he was lucky in that inning. That is his style of play but he is not getting lucky these days.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Nobody can fluke Test Centuries at least in pressure situations (I agree some meaningless centuries like Agarkar in Lords can be termed as fluke). I agree Pant is out of form, should work bit on his fitness, but more than that he should be guided/handed properly, else his career can go in wrong direction. To start with he should not be burdened with captaincy...

He shouldn't be burdened with LOI cricket as well. Let guys like Kishan, Rahul, Samson, Karthik take care of it. He can concentrate on improving his test record in Eng, NZ, SA and West Indies. He should also improve his fitness.

 

[Technics 1210]

Won't call his innings fluke but yeah he was very lucky in those innings. Australians missed a stumping chance and dropped his catch. Funny thing is Prithvi Shaw who was an opener was blamed for India's loss in the day night test against Australia but Gill who laid the foundation in the Gabba test with his 91 didn't get any credit. Pant did try to throw his wicket away in his trademark style when he was batting on 51 in Gabba test also but Tim Paine gave him a life. So yeah he was lucky in that inning. That is his style of play but he is not getting lucky these days.

Disagree bro. His style of play is to be aggressive, and bowlers have sussed him out, and in every format of the game. He has no temperament. No class, and he’s in the Indian team because of his one hit wonder series down under. His ‘surprise’ factor is over, and has been truly exposed.



Will he be playing in the England test?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Disagree bro. His style of play is to be aggressive, and bowlers have sussed him out, and in every format of the game. He has no temperament. No class, and he’s in the Indian team because of his one hit wonder series down under. His ‘surprise’ factor is over, and has been truly exposed.



Will he be playing in the England test?

Yeah he will be playing against England.

 

[RamLakhan]

Disagree bro. His style of play is to be aggressive, and bowlers have sussed him out, and in every format of the game. He has no temperament. No class, and he’s in the Indian team because of his one hit wonder series down under. His ‘surprise’ factor is over, and has been truly exposed.



Will he be playing in the England test?

In tests he is still not ruled out yet. He should not miss out on home tests even against weaker teams, that will help him improve his "temperament" (maybe even help him learn how to play in LOIs with better shot selections!)

 

[shamaan]

If Pant is out of form then we should use the same excuse for Rizwan.

 

[shariqnoor]

I'm surprised India has not given Sarfraz Khan a debut. The guy averages 81 in FC cricket at a SR of 71. Those are beastly numbers. Another hundred in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final. There is no excuse for this guy not to be debuting soon.

While I'm lambasting the selectors for not selecting him, at the same time, I'm in awe of the depth of Indian cricket that they can afford to not select Sarfraz Khan after the numbers that he's been producing.

 

[Ab Fan]

I'm surprised India has not given Sarfraz Khan a debut. The guy averages 81 in FC cricket at a SR of 71. Those are beastly numbers. Another hundred in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final. There is no excuse for this guy not to be debuting soon.

While I'm lambasting the selectors for not selecting him, at the same time, I'm in awe of the depth of Indian cricket that they can afford to not select Sarfraz Khan after the numbers that he's been producing.

Probably due to fitness. Also, if he gets selected, it will be as pure batsman.

 

[Slim]

Pant has won his country a Test series in Australia. The last time Pakistan did not lose a Test match in Australia, Miandad was still playing international cricket.

Pant is currently out of form and seems to lack match fitness, but he is bigger than the entire current Pakistan team because his achievements in the purest form of the game are greater than anyone in the current Pakistan team.

Not sure if you are joking, we literally have ICC silverware winners in our team. That is above ANYTHING. Please dont make such silly blanket statements.

 

[Slim]

I'm surprised India has not given Sarfraz Khan a debut. The guy averages 81 in FC cricket at a SR of 71. Those are beastly numbers. Another hundred in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final. There is no excuse for this guy not to be debuting soon.

While I'm lambasting the selectors for not selecting him, at the same time, I'm in awe of the depth of Indian cricket that they can afford to not select Sarfraz Khan after the numbers that he's been producing.

Depth of Indian cricket is non-existent nowadays. They do not have a single capable batsman to lead after Rohit, Kohli right now. The team is in big disarray. They will however find some good talent though. Need to give Gill, and Shaw more chances. Iyer, Kishan, Vihari have been failures.

 

[shariqnoor]

Probably due to fitness. Also, if he gets selected, it will be as pure batsman.

I'm a big fan of fitness but there has to be some leeway. If he's not totally out of shape and his fitness is a borderline case, then an exception could and should be made. He may look heavy but he's definitely no Sharjeel.

 

[Ab Fan]

I'm a big fan of fitness but there has to be some leeway. If he's not totally out of shape and his fitness is a borderline case, then an exception could and should be made. He may look heavy but he's definitely no Sharjeel.

Borderline case is Rohit and Pant actually. Sarfaraz and Shaw are two names who are well below the fitness standards set by Indian team.

Rohit and Pant have their places in Indian team booked. Sarfaraz has to yet cement his place.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Pant is getting tough competition from other wicketkeeper batsman in all the formats. This is good for Indian cricket.

 

[Slim]

Borderline case is Rohit and Pant actually. Sarfaraz and Shaw are two names who are well below the fitness standards set by Indian team.

Rohit and Pant have their places in Indian team booked. Sarfaraz has to yet cement his place.

Shaw is definitely more fitter than both pot bellies Rohit and Pant.

 

[Rajdeep]

Depth of Indian cricket is non-existent nowadays. They do not have a single capable batsman to lead after Rohit, Kohli right now. The team is in big disarray. They will however find some good talent though. Need to give Gill, and Shaw more chances. Iyer, Kishan, Vihari have been failures.

Did we not just won the U19 world cup few months ago?

 

[Ab Fan]

Shaw is definitely more fitter than both pot bellies Rohit and Pant.

Shaw is worst of all. He was hyped as next Tendulkar-Lara but certain posters don't have problem with him getting hyped so much but have problem with guys who backed the hype by bullying Australia in Australia

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Shaw is worst of all. He was hyped as next Tendulkar-Lara but certain posters don't have problem with him getting hyped so much but have problem with guys who backed the hype by bullying Australia in Australia

I remember you said that I was hyping Prtihvi Shaw and calling him next Sachin and Lara. As always you lied, and didn't provide the link of a post where I said that because I don't overhype any cricketer. The max I want from selectors is equal chances for a player. Some players get more opportunities like Pant is getting in LOIs and some get limited opportunities like Shaw, Gill, Samson etc. Here is a link of a post from a guy who compared him with Lara and Sachin :

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...national-Career-Watch&p=11053030#post11053030

Read the next post in that thread, you will be surprised to see that post

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...national-Career-Watch&p=11108678#post11108678

Do your homework next time properly.

 

[Mamoon]

Not sure if you are joking, we literally have ICC silverware winners in our team. That is above ANYTHING. Please dont make such silly blanket statements.

Fluke Champions Trophy means nothing.

Pant has achieved more in Test cricket than the entire current Pakistani team.

 

[Slim]

Fluke Champions Trophy means nothing.

Pant has achieved more in Test cricket than the entire current Pakistani team.

You calling it a fluke means nothing tbh. Many call Pant's centuries a fluke just by the way lol. ICC silverware is above any bilateral series.

 

[Slim]

Did we not just won the U19 world cup few months ago?

Where are the batsmen then?

 

[cricketjoshila]

You calling it a fluke means nothing tbh. Many call Pant's centuries a fluke just by the way lol. ICC silverware is above any bilateral series.

Centuries in South Africa England Australia all fluke?

That ICC trophy came 5 years ago.

What was the result when you visited Australia for a test series?

It laughable when you lose to Australia even in pakistan and then take shots at India who won in Australia. TWICE.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Where are the batsmen then?

It will be another 2 to 3 years before they get into the team. Thats the system in India. Unless you are a Tendulkar level Batsman you wont get into the Indian team without 3-4 seasons of Ranji trophy.


It works for Batsmen and spinners, not for fast bowlers though.

 

[Hitman]

You calling it a fluke means nothing tbh. Many call Pant's centuries a fluke just by the way lol. ICC silverware is above any bilateral series.

Comparing a Champions trophy victory in pajama cricket to 2 Test series victories in Australia ) ) )

 

[Rajdeep]

Comparing a Champions trophy victory in pajama cricket to 2 Test series victories in Australia ) ) )

What brother [MENTION=146948]Slim[/MENTION] is saying has some merit though. Everyone understands that winning test series and that too overseas and that too twice and that too in a ground where home team was unbeaten for 4 decades and that too with fringe players is always tougher than winning a white ball ICC trophy. But in our part of the world (in sub continent) we give too much preference to the world cups. That is why you see whole sale team changes and panic button gets trigerred only after a team fails in world events.

Everyone remember that we (Indian team) flopped in 2007 World cup and considers Dravid a failure of a captain. But hardly anyone recall that we won Test series in Eng same year under him...unless ofcourse someone who is a purist of the game.

Simlarly everyone considers Dhoni as best Indian captain ever for winnings 2011 world cup, 2013 CT etc. but hardly anyone blames him for 8-0 test loses in Eng/Aus.

Its ironical but white ball cricket rules in this part of the world.

 

[Mamoon]

You calling it a fluke means nothing tbh. Many call Pant's centuries a fluke just by the way lol. ICC silverware is above any bilateral series.

Winning one Test series in Australia is bigger than winning the CT, let alone winning two. I don’t blame you and other Pakistani fans for not accepting because you don’t know what it means to win in Australia.

The Pakistan team does not have the talent, skill and mentality to draw a Test in Australia, let alone draw a series. Winning a series is not even a thinkable objective.

Pant > entire Pakistan team.

 

[Mamoon]

What brother [MENTION=146948]Slim[/MENTION] is saying has some merit though. Everyone understands that winning test series and that too overseas and that too twice and that too in a ground where home team was unbeaten for 4 decades and that too with fringe players is always tougher than winning a white ball ICC trophy. But in our part of the world (in sub continent) we give too much preference to the world cups. That is why you see whole sale team changes and panic button gets trigerred only after a team fails in world events.

Everyone remember that we (Indian team) flopped in 2007 World cup and considers Dravid a failure of a captain. But hardly anyone recall that we won Test series in Eng same year under him...unless ofcourse someone who is a purist of the game.

Simlarly everyone considers Dhoni as best Indian captain ever for winnings 2011 world cup, 2013 CT etc. but hardly anyone blames him for 8-0 test loses in Eng/Aus.

Its ironical but white ball cricket rules in this part of the world.

That is true but World Cup but not the Champions Trophy. Even the World T20 is more prestigious than the Champions Trophy.

Dhoni became Dhoni on April 2, 2011. The Champions Trophy in 2013 didn’t build his legacy, it was an icing on the cake.

Few years down the line, Pakistani fans will still cherish the 92 World Cup more than the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Had Pakistan fluked the 2019 World Cup instead of the 2017 Champions Trophy, Sarfraz would have a different stature in Pakistan cricket today.

Had Pakistan won the 2011 World Cup, Afridi would have become bigger than Imran Khan at least for the modern generation.

India won the 1985 Championship which was essentially a Champions Trophy, but no one remembers that tournament and it didn’t add to Gavaskar’s legacy. That generation of Indian cricket is remembered for the 1983 World Cup.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What brother [MENTION=146948]Slim[/MENTION] is saying has some merit though. Everyone understands that winning test series and that too overseas and that too twice and that too in a ground where home team was unbeaten for 4 decades and that too with fringe players is always tougher than winning a white ball ICC trophy. But in our part of the world (in sub continent) we give too much preference to the world cups. That is why you see whole sale team changes and panic button gets trigerred only after a team fails in world events.

Everyone remember that we (Indian team) flopped in 2007 World cup and considers Dravid a failure of a captain. But hardly anyone recall that we won Test series in Eng same year under him...unless ofcourse someone who is a purist of the game.

Simlarly everyone considers Dhoni as best Indian captain ever for winnings 2011 world cup, 2013 CT etc. but hardly anyone blames him for 8-0 test loses in Eng/Aus.

Its ironical but white ball cricket rules in this part of the world.

CT is the 4th rung ICC trophy. The world cup, WT20 and WTC are all above it. I would take a test series win in SA or Aus over any CT championship.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pant batting like Gilchrist

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Highest run scorer after two innings.

 

[MenInG]

Rishabh Pant scored an entertaining 76 for a combined Leicestershire XI against India’s attack, leaving the warm-up fixture evenly matched after the second day despite some fine bowling performances.

It was India versus India in the standout moment of the second day of the squad’s tour match against Leicestershire on Friday.

Rishabh Pant, lining up for a rejigged Leicestershire XI, went after India’s attack, scoring 76 from 87 balls in a knock that accelerated as it went on.

Pant particularly targeted the quicks, with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav all getting the treatment from India’s wicketkeeper-batter, whose innings helped his XI reach 244 all out.

ICC