Former Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel has opined that the pressure will increase on Rishabh Pant once the regular players of the Indian team return to the playing XI. Pant got an opportunity to captain the Men in Blue in their recently-concluded five-match T20I series against the South African cricket team.
While Pant did a decent job as captain, he could not impress much as a batter. The southpaw has been inconsistent with the willow in the shortest format of the game. He has done well in Test cricket, but in six T20I matches this year, he has scored 117 runs at an average of 23.40.
Speaking about his numbers in the series against the South African cricket team, Pant scored 57 runs in four matches, with his best score being 29. His average was less than 15, while his strike rate was just above 105. Some fans feel that Pant’s place is not 100% secure in the Indian team.
Even former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan did not select him in the playing XI for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. He picked Dinesh Karthik as the wicket-keeper.
Parthiv Patel thinks Rishabh Pant should improve his shot selection
During a discussion on Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel gave his opinion on this matter and said:
“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 and Sanju Samson has a chance of doing well there. There are also other options like Ishan Kishan and Dinesh Karthik.”
Parthiv Patel added that Rishabh always says about giving his 100% on the field, but how his shot selection has not been the best. He concluded by saying that Pant should not think about sending the ball outside the stadium all the time.
