Rishabh Pant's Condition Was Not In The Place It Needed To Be In For IPL 2020: Tom Moody

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has weighed in on Rishabh Pant’s dismal form in the current edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). Rishabh Pant, who is part of the Delhi Capitals, has not produced the fireworks or the exploits he is known for while also missing a few matches due to an injury. Tom Moody feels that the keeper-batsman did not arrive in the best shape to the UAE for the tournament.

The spotlight fell on Rishabh Pant in the last few days due to his non-selection for the upcoming tour of Australia for any format. In ten matches in IPL 2020, the left-handed batsman has only scored 274 runs at 30.44 with a strike rate of 112.29. In the ongoing game against the Mumbai Indians in Dubai, the 22-year old managed only 21 runs in 24 deliveries, striking at 87.50 as the Capitals capitulated.

The 55-year old feels that Rishabh Pant has not been at a spot where he needs to be, having arrived at an undesirable form in IPL. Moody understands that the players have been in a lockdown situation; however, the modern cricket entertains no such excuses and that he needs to learn from the other Indian cricketers, especially Virat Kohli. Moody also remained perplexed about Pant’s mid-season injury and reckons that it lies with the coaching staff to help him regain his focus, make him understand his mistakes, and head into the positive direction.

“I think one of the things that derailed Pant’s IPL to this point has been how he arrived in the IPL. And I think from my understanding, his condition was not in the place it needed to be in. I respect the fact that everyone has been in lockdown and there has been some challenges around that. But to me, there is no excuse. We are not playing in the 80s or 70s. The Indian team has got to be one of the best role models when it comes to preparation and welfare in their captain in Virat Kohli. Hence, it is no excuse. I think, that in a way derails physically not only mentally. Then he gets injured. I wonder why he got injured because the condition is nowhere where it needs to be . You need to help that player regain that focus and understand and learn from possibly the mistakes, understand and accept the mistakes and move forward into a positive direction,” Moody told ESPN Cricinfo.

Rishabh Pant needs to identify what he wants to achieve personally: Tom Moody

Tom Moody mentioned that the significant thing is to identify his objectives and plan a blueprint to achieve the same. The former SunRisers Hyderabad coach underlined that it starts with the preparation leading up to the match, ensuring that a player is thorough with the same, understanding and remaining confident about their role. Moody reckons that it is an instructional thing and Rishabh Pant needs to highlight what his real drivers are.

“I think the important thing would be to understand what his objectives are, not only in this game but also the end of the tournament and personally. Yes, collectively they want to win the tournament but personally what he wants to achieve. How can I hope you achieve what you are willing to do? And let’s set out a pathway and try to achieve that. It starts with your preparation, leading to the match, making sure it is as thorough as it needs to be and your mindset and your role clarity is absolutely spot on. So, I think it is a collective thing and not an instructional thing. I think it is very much having an understanding of what is going on behind his eyeballs, what is he thinking, and what are his real drivers,” he added.

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