No One Likes To Sit Outside: Ajinkya Rahane On Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant falling down the pecking order in the last few months is as remarkable as his rise. The youngster was tipped for a bright future after he took domestic cricket and the IPL by storm before slamming Test centuries in Australia and England.
However, things have not really gone his way in the past six months or so. He has lost his place in the playing eleven across formats. He lost his place in the Test playing at the start of the home season as India recalled the experienced Wriddhiman Saha. But he was persisted with in the ODI and T20I teams with MS Dhoni not available.
However, the left-handed batsman failed to grab the chance. He suffered concussion during the first ODI against Australia and KL Rahul kept wicket when India took the field. Since then, Rishabh Pant has been on the bench for all nine of India’s limited-overs matches across formats. Virat Kohli has also said since that India now favour Rahul who has been in stunning form.
There is still no confirmation over whether he would return to the playing eleven for the upcoming first Test against New Zealand. Speculations are rife that he might return to the team due to his fine record in overseas Tests. And on the eve of the game, India Test vice captain Ajinkya Rahane threw his support behind the under-pressure wicketkeeper. Ajinkya Rahane also advised Pant to control the controllables.
“It’s important to accept whatever you are going through. Be positive, try and learn as many things as possible from any of the players. Not saying it has to be senior or junior,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
“See no one likes to sit outside but whatever your team needs on a particular game, you have got to accept that. I think acceptance is really important talking about that particular individual. Focus on controllables, keeping working hard and improve as a cricketer.
“You should try and focus on what he can control as player and keep visualizing that you will get an opportunity. You know what your role is. For Rishabh, he bats at No 6 or 7, so keep visualising about what if he gets an opportunity and what his role is. Keep it simple,” added Rahane when asked how one can internalize rejection or failure.
