Harsha Bhogle Worried Over Team India's Treatment Of Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has endured some torrid time on the field in recent past. Everything was falling into place for him when he made a stunning entry into Test cricket last year. He scored centuries in England and Australia in addition to scoring fifties against West Indies at home. But things started taking turn for the worse since he replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the World Cup squad.

Playing his first-ever World Cup, he failed to make much of an impression. Rishabh Pant, however, had the chance to make amends when he was named India’s number one wicketkeeper for the tour of West Indies. With MS Dhoni taking a break, the series was a big chance for the youngster to cement his spot in the team.

However, Rishabh Pant fared poorly including in Tests. What made things worse for him was his shot selection. More often than not, Rishabh Pant was out why trying to play ambitious shots. His form did not improve in the home series against South Africa either. And on Tuesday, he received a big setback when skipper Virat Kohli announced that Wriddhiman Saha would replace him as the keeper in the first Test against South Africa.

“Yes, Saha is fit and fine to go. He is going to start the series for us. His keeping credentials are for everyone to see. He has done well with the bat whenever he has got a chance. It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper in the world. With these conditions he starts for us,” Kohli said.

Also Read: West Indies Pacer Miguel Cummins Signs Kolpak Deal

The latest decision is really baffling since Pant had done extremely well in Tests. And perhaps this is why ace commentator Harsha Bhogle is worried about the youngster. Bhogle took to Twitter to express his apprehensions over Pant not dealing well with the snub, writing:

“I worry though that there are conflicting signals going out to young Pant who has seen so much so early in life. Was he a test player & therefore not picked originally for the World Cup? Is he now an odi player & so not in the test XI? Or is this a call on his confidence level?”

I worry though that there are conflicting signals going out to young Pant who has seen so much so early in life. Was he a test player & therefore not picked originally for the World Cup? Is he now an odi player & so not in the test XI? Or is this a call on his confidence level?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 1, 2019