Rishabh Pant Was Groomed To Replace MS Dhoni, Now He Is Serving Water: Ashish Nehra
Rishabh Pant losing his stumps trying to blast the ball into the stands. (Credits: hindustantimes)

Rishabh Pant was touted to fill in the big boots of MS Dhoni across formats. But as he failed to capitalise on the chances due to his poor shot selection and questionable glovework, it opened the doors for KL Rahul. The Karnataka batsman, on the contrary, latched on to the opportunity and made the most of it.

KL Rahul was tried to bat at different positions for Team India and he delivered. His glovework was also neat which came as an added bonus for the wicket-keeper batsman. With the T20 World Cup at stake, it looks like Rahul has nearly sealed his spot as the first-choice wicket-keeper batsman ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Rishabh Pant,
Rishabh Pant. Credits: BCCI Twitter

Rishabh Pant was prepared to succeed MS Dhoni, now he is serving water: Ashish Nehra

Rishbah Pant, however, continues to be backed by senior India members like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They think the Delhi batsman has come under sever scrutiny very early in his career and should be given some breathing space. Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra, however, has a different opinion.

Nehra thinks players like Rishabh Pant have been backed for too long but there is no assurance on who will fill up certain slots in the line-up. He also cited the example of Rishabh Pant and said, he was being groomed to replace MS Dhoni, but now is serving water for the national team.

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Rishabh Pant,Brand Ambassador, JSW Steel
RIshabh Pant. (Credits: BCCI)

“There are a lot of talented players but they should be backed for a longer duration. Today also when we talk about the number 5 and 6 slots in Indian ODI side, then we are not sure about it. KL Rahul is playing on the 5th position and (Rishabh) Pant, the person you were preparing to succeed MS Dhoni, is serving water,” Ashish Nehra said.

Pant averages 26.71 in the ODIs and 20.50 in T20Is. He has also been given opportunities in the longest format and scored at average of 38.76.