Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been struggling a lot in the shortest format of the game in recent times. He was also having a hard time in the recently-concluded 20-20 World Cup 2022. India are currently touring New Zealand for a three-match T20I and ODI series. Hardik Pandya led the team to victory by 1-0 in the T20I series.
The first match of the T20I series was washed out due to rain. In the second match at Mount Maunganui, the Men in Blue started their innings with a new opening pair Ishan Kishan and Rishabh pant. Kishan was looking good as he was able to score some boundaries in the powerplay. But Pant was struggling a lot against fast bowlers, and eventually departed for 6 off 13 of a scorching delivery by Lockie Ferguson.
The same happened in the third T20I as well. Pant started well by smashing two boundaries but ended up throwing his wicket to Tim Southee in the third over of the inning, however, the match was tied because of rain. The 25-year-old received a lot of criticism from the fans and former cricketers as well.
‘He is throwing his wicket away all the time’: Kris Srikkanth
Former Indian Cricketer and captain Kris Srikkanth said that Pant should be given a break from international cricket because it will help him to reinvent himself and think about his failures. He also criticized the Indian team management for not handling him well.
“Maybe you can give him (Pant) a break and tell him ‘just wait a bit, come and play in India’, they haven’t handled him well. Are you going to wait for a couple of matches before giving him a break or remove him after one or two games? ” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “Yes, Rishabh Pant is not utilizing the chances he’s getting. I am very disappointed – ennada Pant-u (what is this Pant)?”.
“You are messing up these chances. If you smash into such matches, it’ll be good right? The World Cup is coming up. Already a lot of people are saying that Pant isn’t scoring so it’ll add fuel to the fire. He’s going to put pressure on himself. He needs to reinvent himself. He has to do something right – stand and play for a while and then go for it…He’s throwing his wicket away all the time,” Srikkanth said.
