Rishabh Pant should look to become a performer: Virender Sehwag

Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper has been in the spotlight facing criticism from fans for his below-par performance playing for India. He was brought as a replacement of MS Dhoni, but it looks like it is getting to his mind which is making it difficult for the 21-year-old glove-man to fill the shoes of the veteran cricketer. His failures in limited-overs cricket has brought him under the scanner. Now, former Indian cricketer, Virender Sehwag has come out in support of Pant and has advised about what he can learn from MS Dhoni.

The 21-year-old Indian wicketkeeper has performed well in Tests where he has managed 774 runs in 10 Test but in limited-overs, he hasn’t performed well. He has been questioned over his poor short selection since long. Pant, who is in his into his third year of international cricket, is yet to prove his credentials across formats.

Sehwag advises management to back Rishabh Pant

Sehwag feels Pant has the skills to be a mainstay in the Indian team for more than a decade but he should go with his natural instincts to become a better performer so that he can attain consistency across formats. He also wants Pant to be backed by the management, avoiding any unnecessary pressure on the youngster.

He also gave his own example about failing in 20 innings and then attaining his position as one of the destructive openers in World cricket. “I flopped in 20 innings before I scored. But then I had the support of the team management. I could regain form because of that support without changing my game. Similarly, MS (Dhoni) played his natural game and India lost a match which prompted skipper (Rahul) Dravid to speak to MS,” Sehwag was quoted as saying by Times Now.

Sehwag recalled an incident of Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni

Sehwag recalled an incident where Dhoni performed but India lost that match, but at that time the Indian skipper Rahul Dravid asked Dhoni to play his natural game. “It brought about a change. MS became a performer as Rahul wanted him to. Of course, he did curtail his natural game and learned the art of finishing the game. I think Pant should also look to become a performer. He should concentrate on his shot selection. He has awesome talent and if improves his shot selection, I am sure he will serve India for the next 15 years,” Sehwag quoted in his interview.

The Indian wicket-keeper is currently with the Indian team, which is scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Proteas. He managed only 23 runs in the shortest format and will be keen to make an impact in red-ball cricket.

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