One month ago when the Indian selectors announced India’s team for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, everyone was curious about the second wicketkeeper. It was the experience of Dinesh Kartik that edged the young sensation Rishabh Pant and made it to the Indian Side. Then during the India vs Australia match star opener, Shikhar Dhawan was struck on his thumb and was injured. As a result, Pant was called as a cover for replacement. Yesterday the Indian Team announced that Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the World Cup and Rishabh Pant will be his replacement. The 21-year-old has only played a handful number of ODIs in his career. He has so far scored 93 runs in 5 matches at an average of 23.25.
The inclusion of Rishabh Pant was not a surprising one, as he is a like for like replacement for Shikhar Dhawan. Much like Dhawan, he is also a left-hander that provides Indian team a different option in the middle order. With KL Rahul now playing as an opener, the number 4 position is again up for grabs and Pant can certainly fill in that role.
He was in brilliant form for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and helped his side reach the knockout stage after several years. Pant in his short career has shown that he is a fearless batsman and can go after the bowling from ball one. Here are some of Rishabh Pant’s Strengths and Weakness.
STRENGTHS :
The 21-year-old has the ability to strike big shots from the very first ball. In the Indian Middle Order apart from Hardik Pandya, there is no one who has a strike rate of over 100 and Pant can be a great foil for Pandya as well as Dhoni if he bats in the middle order. As earlier mentioned Rishabh Pant is a lefthander, with Shikhar Dhawan gone there is no one in the starting playing 11 of India that bats left-handed. If Pant is included in the squad he will make sure that there is a left-right combination in the batting lineup, that will not allow any bowler to settle down on a similar line and length. His no fear attitude can also help India when the pressure is on as he would be looking to make a name for himself on the world stage. There is no baggage of past History as far as Pant is concerned and he can go out and express himself freely. Pant just maybe the long term solution that India is looking for in ODI cricket.
WEAKNESS:
Pant has to realise that playing cricket is not always about going hell for leather from ball one. It is about playing the situation and assessing conditions. The strokes he plays on flat decks in India may not prove to be successful in English conditions. He has to grind and show maturity which he has not done so far for India in white ball cricket. Pant is inexperienced and is not familiar with playing in the World Cup so he could crumble under pressure. Pant’s ability to play genuine fast bowling will be also be tested, as in the IPL as well as Test cricket he has struggled when the Fast bowlers have tested him with mean bouncers. Pant also needs to convert his starts and learn from the likes of Rohit and Virat, one may say he is young and talented but that talent will only be fully realised if he goes on to score big runs in the middle order.
ROLE:
Pant should bat at number 4 and provide the side balance, and play according to the situation. There can be days when in English conditions the top order can be knocked out early so he needs to put his hand up and mold his game according to the situation of the match. Pant will be looking to make the most of this global opportunity and for that, he has to tighten his technique and play responsibly. If Pant does bat sensibly he can be the game changer for India that can help India win the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
