Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has questioned Rishabh Pant’s performances in white-ball cricket. Speaking on a podcast with former India opener Aakash Chopra, Patel expressed surprise at the batter’s inability to consistently deliver on his potential in ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL.
Pant, who is currently out of India’s white-ball setup, recently captained Rest of India to the Irani Cup title. He was also named in Delhi’s squad for their Ranji Trophy opener, scheduled for October 11 at Kalyani. The left-handed batter has been included in the India A squad for the New Zealand tour.
Parthiv Patel Questions Rishabh Pant's White-Ball Record
Parthiv Patel said that he was surprised by Rishabh Pant’s statistics in limited-overs cricket. Patel believes his performances in ODIs, T20Is and the IPL have not consistently reflected his ability.
“I am very surprised looking at Pant's white-ball numbers. He has not been able to perform as per his ability in ODIs, T20Is, or in the IPL. That is something which I find like a puzzle. I would like to solve it if given an opportunity,” Patel said.
Pant, who made his ODI debut in 2018, has scored 871 runs in 31 matches at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21, including one century and five half-centuries. He has scored 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is at an average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 127.26, including three half-centuries.
Parthiv Patel Compares Rishabh Pant's Test Impact To Bumrah And Kohli
Parthiv Patel praised Rishabh Pant's impact in Test cricket. He placed the wicketkeeper-batter alongside Jasprit Bumrah and former India captain Virat Kohli in terms of importance to the team.
“In Test cricket, Pant is as important as Bumrah or Kohli the captain. He has won a lot of games. The way he plays, there will always be criticism. But the success ratio is very high. This is why he is that X factor. You cannot tell him to be more responsible,” Patel said.
Patel also defended Pant’s wicketkeeping, arguing that his performances behind the stumps often receive less appreciation than they deserve.
“I think his wicket-keeping skills are not appreciated enough. He will not appear to you as technical as Wriddhiman Saha. But he drops very few catches. He has that consistency even on difficult pitches. If you criticise him when he gets out, you have no right to praise him when he steps out and smashes sixes. As a complete package, he is definitely India's best as a wicket-keeper batter,” he said.
Pant has scored 3,725 runs in 52 Tests at an average of 43.82, including eight centuries and 21 half-centuries. He has also taken 166 catches and completed 18 stumpings.
Parthiv Patel Explains Where Rishabh Pant Needs To Improve In ODIs
Parthiv Patel believes Rishabh Pant needs to develop a better balance between attacking shots and strike rotation in ODIs. He stated that scoring boundaries alone is not enough in the 50-over format, where batters must build an innings and maintain the right tempo.
“I feel you need a tempo in one-day cricket. It's not only about hitting fours or sixes. You need the ability to take singles and also the will to do it. You need both, the way Kohli and Gill bat. That is where he needs to find the tempo,” Patel said.
“When you are the second keeper, you are almost invisible and then when someone has a breakthrough domestic season, as Ishan Kishan did, you are replaced. I know how it is for a second wicket-keeper,” Patel added.
Pant last played an ODI for India against Sri Lanka in 2024. He was recently ruled out of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener after doctors advised him to rest because of viral fever.
