The young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is touted as the successor of former India skipper MS Dhoni. However, he is yet to live up to expectations in international cricket. Former India cricketer Syed Kirmani believes Rishabh Pant has the talent in him but needs to grooming to shine at the biggest stage.
Since MS Dhoni’s absence from the national side, the management has invested heavily on Pant. However, a string of poor scores has seemingly shut the door on him. Rishabh Pant, who burst to the scene with centuries in England and Australia in Test cricket, was the next big thing in Indian cricket, until next year.
Rishabh Pant needs grooming – Syed Kirmani
From a regular in the playing XI to warming the benches, Pant has witnessed it all in a very small time. Syed Kirmani feels Rishabh Pant had his opportunities. But given the fact that he couldn’t do much with it, there is time to look after him and shape him further.
“Yes, he did not capitalise on the chances provided to him,” Kirmani said to Hindustan Times. “Wicketkeeping is the most thankless and difficult job in cricket and I believe Pant has to be properly groomed. I agree that talent has to be encouraged, but mind you, in every profession, talented and promising youngsters have to be under the study of experienced seniors.
“Pant is immensely skilled. That skill will bloom and flourish with experience, it cannot be overnight. It will take a minimum of two seasons if one is a quick learner,” he added.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri have always backed Wriddhiman Saha in Test cricket. Despite that, the management went for Rishabh Pant in the New Zealand Tests. And the way things panned out in New Zealand in February, Saha would stick around a little longer in red-ball cricket. Syed Kirmani finds the Bengal cricketer to be the impressive of the lot.
“[Wriddhiman] Saha, by far, he has successfully performed with consistency in all formats,” Kirmani said.
