IPL 2022: No Matter Who The Bowler Is, Smack It - Ravi Shastri's Straight-Forward Advice To Rishabh Pant

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri wants Delhi Capitals (DC) captain, Rishabh Pant, to attack every ball he plays akin to the batting style of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dangerous all-rounder, Andre Russell.

Pant has played contrasting knocks this season, sometimes taking his time at the crease while attacking from ball one at other times. However, Shastri wants the 24-year-old to shed his inhibitions and play aggressive shots almost every time.

“I feel once he gets the tempo going he shouldn’t change, he should be in the [Andre] Russell mould in this format of the game. You get your eye in, you’re striking it well – don’t think too much.”

“No matter who the bowler is, if it’s there to be smacked, smack it. Who knows, you might win more matches than people expect you to,” Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out.

“Rishabh is totally capable of playing in that fashion” – Ravi Shastri

Although Pant bears the responsibility of captaincy and tries to play to the situation, a better choice is to go all-out like Russell, as per Shastri. Pant’s power game is quite strong and he can take on the spinners quite easily in the middle overs as well.

“Russell is very, very clear in his mindset. It is bang-bang-bang once he’s in the mood. There’s no stopping him, there’s not even a negative thought that will peep through his system – it is [all about] smacking.”

“Rishabh is totally capable of playing in that fashion, and I hope he thinks in that way because you’ll see some special innings from him in T20 cricket,” Shastri went on to add.

Pant needs to come to the party soon and play a big knock as DC is currently in 5th place with 5 wins in 11 matches. They cannot afford to lose another game which could dent their playoff chances in the league.

Also Read – MI vs KKR: Andre Russell Can Bowl Four Overs At Any Point In The Innings – Pat Cummins On KKR Having A Bowler Short Against Mumbai Indians