India vs Windies 2018: Rishabh Pant is the Future Wicketkeeper - Abhay Sharma

Recently, Rishabh Pant got his maiden ODI call for the series against the Windies. He got selected as a batsman and a cover for the legendary MS Dhoni who is still giving his best behind the stumps in the limited-overs cricket. Rishabh Pant scored 114 and 92 runs respectively against England (at the Oval) and Windies (in Rajkot). However, he has to improve a lot with his keeping capabilities. Pant conceded 76 byes from six innings in the Test series against England. Meanwhile, many former cricketers had raised their eyebrows, as Nayan Mongia also questioned Pant’s basics.

The wicket-keeper batsman has impressed the selectors with his batting skill.

Moreover, Abhay Sharma, the fielding coach of India A and U-19 has seen Rishbh Pant grow from a different perspective. He has been monitoring Pant since his teenage and is happy with his growth.

 “You can see his growth in wicketkeeping. He has been with us (the colts’ coaching staff) for a long time. It has been close to three years. Initially, he was a little heavy on his feet. We had to work on that, and it was a start,” Abhay Sharma said in an exclusive chat.

According to Abhay Sharma, Rishabh Pant has improved a lot. He perhaps thinks that Pant won’t be a bad investment, as MS Dhoni is nearing his retirement in international cricket, and is expected to call it quits post the 2019 World Cup.

“He is a hard-working kid. Now, we are trying to work on his head position, “I attended the Vijay Hazare Trophy games he played for Delhi to analyse his keeping. We have been in constant touch.” Sharma added.

Furthermore, Sharma tries to convey the management are concerned about the Pant’s keeping abilities, and how he can get better with each passing game.

“That varies from keeper to keeper. In his case, we are trying to draw him a little bit forward which could help him in keeping close to the stumps.  When he is standing up to a slower bowler, he will be close to the wickets where he can get stumping chances,” Sharma explained.

However, India will start its ODI campaign against the Windies on October 21 (Sunday).