Ever since returning from Australia, Rishabh Pant has gone on from strength to strength and accolades have come pouring in from every corner. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Kiran More was of the opinion that Pant will go on to break MS Dhoni's record both as a batsman and a keeper. He insisted that the more Pant plays in Indian pitches, the more improved he will become behind the stumps against spinners.
“You learn every day. You learn by keeping on different pitches with varying soil types. You learn by keeping to the best spinners and pacers in the world that India have at the moment. You have to learn by observing. He will break MS Dhoni’s records. If you don’t learn, you will be found wanting. With experience, Pant will go a long way,” More said in an interview with News18.com.
More was also critical of the Indian team management for overlooking the overall package Pant brings to the table for his apparent inadequacies behind the stumps. He said the team management could not take a call on Pant even after the southpaw from Delhi established himself in overseas conditions, instead of backing him to improve his shortcoming with the gloves.
“I have always wondered why Pant was not played in India earlier. Pant did very well in England in his maiden appearance (15 catches in 3 Tests). He did very well in Australia in 2018-19 (20 catches in 4 Tests including 11 in a Test, the best ever by an Indian wicketkeeper). But, when they played in India, he was not allowed to keep wickets,” More added.
“I wondered why a person who does well in England and Australia, and wins Tests for you and is a proven match-winner is not tried in India. Unless and until he plays on Indian turning tracks, he is not going to learn. This time, he got an opportunity to play. Once he plays on turning tracks, only then will he learn. He is only 23 years. If you don’t allow him to keep wickets in India and only play him abroad, his growth is only going to drop.”
Pant was instrumental in India’s comeback after the loss in the series opener. He was equally brilliant with catching and stumpings irrespective of spinners and pacers as the pitches had some spice in it and were conducive to both spin and pace.