Published - 13 Nov 2017, 03:07 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:48 PM
Delhi coach KP Bhaskar feels young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant ‘will be a prime to fill MS Dhoni’s boots’ once the World Cup-winning skipper hangs his boots.
The 20-year old, who was recently made the Delhi’s captain in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, has been earmarked for a great future by many. After starring for India in the Under-19 World Cup last year, the southpaw took domestic cricket by storm last year. Pant grabbed the headlines after slamming 308 off just 326 balls against Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy before following it up with a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand which is one of the fastest first-class centuries by an Indian.
Pant had scored 972 runs in last Ranji Trophy (Credits: Cricinfo)
Pant went on to finish the season with 972 runs in only eight outings including four centuries, a couple of the fifties and an amazing strike-rate of over 107. He was rewarded for the brilliant show in domestic circuit in the form of a maiden call for India’s T20I team during the home series against England and was recalled once again during the series against West Indies but failed to live up to the expectations.
Pant failed to impress against West Indies (Credits: AFP)
The Delhi star is now very much away from the spotlight, looking to find his form in the Ranji Trophy where he has failed to cross the 50-run mark even once in three attempts. However, his coach Bhaskar is confident the southpaw is the right heir of MS Dhoni.
“He may not be showing it, but deep down I’m sure he must be feeling it. Now that he is out of the [India] side, he has realised it and I’m sure he must be working hard on his temperament,” Bhaskar told ESPNcricinfo. “His body language is the same as it was last year, but he looks much fitter, and his keeping has definitely improved.
“I have always told him: it’s easy to play for India, but your preparations – mental, physical and technical – are what will help cement yourself. That’s more important. And age is by his side. His advantage is that he’s a keeper along with batsman. (MS) Dhoni has been around for some time, but once Dhoni hangs his boots, I’m sure he will be a prime man to fill his boots,” he added.
With Pant not managing to replicate his last season’s success, many feel that his temperament is not spot on. However, Bhaskar made it clear that he would not ask the batsman to change his approach on the pitch which is to attack.
“His style is not to block and occupy the crease. He can change the whole outcome of the game in a few overs. But shot selection is something he can work on, especially when playing for India and expectations are high. So then the responsibility automatically comes,” Bhaskar said.
“What we saw last year is that he has the staying power of scoring 300. So he can occupy the crease and score the big runs. There’s no point asking him to curb his instincts. Players like (Krishnamachari) Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil, Kapil Dev were natural stroke-makers. How can you force or stop them? It doesn’t make sense. He’s very natural that way,” he added.
