T20 World Cup 2022: Rishabh Pant's Strength Is Too Many Shots But That's Also The Reason For His Downfall - Former Pakistan Skipper

Rishabh Pant is a talented cricketer who has established himself as the first-choice wicket-keeper of the Indian team in all three formats of the game. He has done well in Test matches, but his white-ball performances, especially in T20Is, are not up to par for a player of his calibre.

The BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup on Monday, which includes two wicketkeeper-batsmen in Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. Karthik has made a stunning comeback in the T20I side after his outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League this year.

Rishabh Pant (Image Credits: Twitter)Many former cricketers questioned Rishabh Pant after he was selected for the Indian team for the World Cup. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has performed well in Tests and One Day Internationals, but not so well in T20Is. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt expressed his opinion on Pant’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup. He said that now that he has been kept in the team, he should be given more freedom.

Despite a forgettable Asia Cup campaign, the 24-year-old was included in the T20 World Cup squad. But it remains to be seen whether he will get a chance to play in the starting eleven. With Dinesh Karthik in the squad, India can play only one of the two in the playing XI to allow for an extra bowler.

Dinesh Karthik was picked against Pant in the team’s opening game against Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Pant got a chance in the Super 4 matches, but he didn’t capitalize on his chances and was disappointing.

Rishabh Pant Strength Is Too Many Shots And It’s His downfall Too – Salman Butt

When the former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was asked about Pant’s failure in T20Is so far in a live session on YouTube, Butt gave a very straightforward response.

“His strength is too many shots. His downfall is too many shots. Too many shots, all at once,” Butt said.

“This is what makes him special, and this is the reason for his downfall as well. When he is successful, he looks spectacular. He has a good range, he is brave, and he was so many shots in his arsenal. But sometimes, you have to play calculative cricket.”

Salman believes that if Pant is kept in the team, he should be allowed to play his own cricket freely.

“But he has much belief in his ability, he is so confident that he goes for his shot. If he fails, he receives criticism for his shot selection, and if he succeeds, people go in awe. So, I believe he has been given a free hand,” Butt added.

India will play 6 T20Is before the World Cup next month to be held in Australia. Rishabh Pant will get a chance before the World Cup to prove himself.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, And Marcus Stoinis Have Been Ruled Out Of India-Australia T20 Series