Rishabh Pant has received backing, a kick on the back will help him – Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels Rishabh Pant has deserved a lot of backing from skipper Virat Kohli and sometimes a kick on the back will help him. Rishabh Pant has got ample opportunities but he hasn’t been able to grab them, especially in the white ball format, which is expected to be his forte.

In fact, KL Rahul has replaced Pant in the limited-over format as he was able to make the most of chances by delivering the goods with the bat. Consequently, Pant has been left out of the final XI in the recent past.

However, Pathan reckons this break due to the coronavirus pandemic is a blessing in disguise for Pant as he is not the cynosure of all eyes and thus he can work on his game. Pathan feels it will help Pant if he is not in the limelight and he can make a solid comeback into the side.

In fact, Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had also said in 2019 that Pant will receive a rap on the knuckles if he keeps repeating mistakes.

“Sometimes you are getting too much backing which Virat Kohli is backing him in the public eye as well, but I think when you get a little bit of a kick on your back, that’s when if you have talent you are going to go big,” Pathan said while talking to Star Sports Cricket Connected.

“I have no doubt that even though all the pressure is coming on him, he had to miss out some matches in T20 cricket with KL Rahul going out and doing what he did as a wicketkeeper as well and that is going to put pressure, but I think that will do a world of good to Rishabh Pant.”

There is no doubt that Rishabh Pant has got all the talent under his belt but he needs to make good use of his opportunities and prove his mettle. The left-hander has impressed while playing in the IPL but he hasn’t been able to convert his chances at the top level.

Pant needs to find the right balance between attack and defence as he sometimes throws away his wicket in an attempt to play his natural game. The southpaw needs to learn how to bat according to match situations and he is expected to do better as he gains more experience on the International stage.

Pant will play for Delhi Capitals in the forthcoming IPL in the UAE and he was recently seen training with Suresh Raina in Ghaziabad.