Delhi coach KP Bhaskar believes that the attacking batsman Rishabh Pant is the right man to fill the shoes of MS Dhoni once he calls curtains in his career.
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Rishabh Pant’s specialisation in empathising the crunch situations of the game is widely known. We have seen his abilities in IPL as well as the Ranji Trophy.
Pant featured for India in U-19 World Cup and ever since his measured approach had the essence to boast about his batting technique, he was super special since then.
The Delhi batsman earned the tag of attacking instincts after he struck a marvellous triple century against Maharashtra and then followed it up with a 48-ball ton against Jharkhand which is one of the quickest first-class centuries achieved by an Indian.
“He may not be showing it, but deep down I’m sure he must be feeling it. Now that he is out of the [India] side, he has realised it and I’m sure he must be working hard on his temperament. His body language is the same as it was last year, but he looks much fitter, and his keeping has definitely improved,” Bhaskar told ESPNcricinfo.
Delhi coach KP Baskar has given the necessary motivation to Rishabh Pant. Pant who recently earned the place in India T20I team for the home series against England and away series in Windies, he wasn’t up to the scratch.
But, taking this as an experience, he would surely bounce back soon. According to his coach, Pant will be the right choice to fill the space of MS Dhoni in the times to come.
“I have always told him: it’s easy to play for India, but your preparations – mental, physical and technical – are what will help cement yourself. That’s more important. And age is by his side. His advantage is that he’s a keeper along with batsman.
(MS) Dhoni has been around for some time, but once Dhoni hangs his boots, I’m sure he will be a prime man to fill his boots,” he added.
“His style is not to block and occupy the crease. He can change the whole outcome of the game in a few overs. But shot selection is something he can work on, especially when playing for India and expectations are high. So then the responsibility automatically comes,” Bhaskar said.
In the process of converting the minimums into maximums, Pant can be a pivotal asset. “What we saw last year is that he has the staying power of scoring 300. So he can occupy the crease and score the big runs. There’s no point asking him to curb his instincts.
Players like (Krishnamachari) Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil, Kapil Dev were natural stroke-makers. How can you force or stop them? It doesn’t make sense. He’s very natural that way,” he added.
