IND vs NZ 2021: Rishabh Pant Hasn't Lived Up To My Expectations, Says Inzamam-ul-Haq

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant hasn’t lived up to the expectations. India won the first T20I against New Zealand by five wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday.

India beat New Zealand by five wickets

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul opened the innings and led India’s chase with 50 runs between them before the latter departed in the final over of Powerplay to Mitchell Santner.

Rohit scored 48 from 36 balls and built another brilliant 58-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who made 62 off 40 balls.

Rishabh Pant appeared under pressure: Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pant struggled to score as he made 13 runs off 16 balls by the 19th over. However, he hit the winning runs for India with a boundary off Daryl Mitchell.

Pant scored 78 runs in the T20 World Cup, where India couldn’t qualify for the semi-final round.

Inzamam feels Pant is playing under pressure and hasn’t played up to his expectations.

“I had a lot of expectations from Rishabh Pant. The way he has performed in the last two years, I rated him highly. I saw him play in Australia, then against England when they toured India earlier this year.

“The conditions he played in. I thought that, like Dhoni, when the top order fails, he makes up for it at the bottom. I felt that Pant is that sort of player. But since the World Cup, he hasn’t lived up to my expectations,” Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.

“He appeared under pressure. Earlier as well, he has been under pressure, but he always used to hit his way out of it. So lately, he hasn’t lived up to my expectations. He scored 17 off 17 but having said that. He is a treat to watch. He must have realised it, and I’m certain he will improve his game,” he added.

India will play the second T20I against New Zealand on November 19 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Jos Buttler Aspires To Be Fearless In Red Ball Cricket, Takes A Leaf Out Of Rishabh Pant’s Book In Australia