India new batting coach: Vikram Rathour expects Rishabh Pant to play ‘fearless’ and not ‘careless’ cricket

India new batting coach: Vikram Rathour was vocal about the Indian wicket-keeper batsman on the eve of second T20I in Mohali.

Being in the public eye every single time is a massive ramification of possessing plentiful potential. India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant often finds himself in this discomforting space.

While the 21-year old cricketer is partially responsible for the severe criticism he receives, there are times when he needs to be left alone to himself assess what needs to be done to reduce the number of “casual” shots he plays. If this number gets truncated, Pant will become a whole different force at the highest level.

“Of course we [team management] want him [Rishabh Pant] to play all his shots. That is what makes him special. He is an impact player, but at the same time he cannot afford to be careless. He needs to understand the difference between the two,” India batting coach Vikram Rathour was quoted as saying in a press conference on the eve of the second T20I between India and South Africa in Mohali.

India new batting coach calls for discipline

Pant, who played across formats in the recently concluded tour of West Indies, was lashed out at after he became a victim of casual shots in the second and third ODI and the second Test. Further speaking about Pant, Rathour laid emphasis on mindset and discipline over technique at the highest level.

Training ✅#TeamIndia all set for 2nd T20I against South Africa #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Voqlg4mVRL

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2019

“At this level it is more about the mindset. Getting your game plans right. Lots and lots of discussions. Why they are making certain decisions at whichever time they do that. Someone like Rishabh, I think he is a phenomenal player. There is no doubt about that.

“Of course he needs to sort out his game plans a little more. Bring a little bit of discipline to his game. All the young players need to realise that there is a fine line between fearless cricket and careless cricket. What the team management is asking of them is fearless cricket,” Rathour said.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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