IND VS NZ: After yet another disastrous performance, Rishabh Pant is currently being investigated for what is most certainly a back issue. After being dismissed for 10 in the third One-Day International against New Zealand, the left-hand batsman went to the dressing room to get medical attention. Pant will be taking part in India’s tour of Bangladesh beginning on December 4, but it is unclear whether he will be fit for the tour.
Bad Form Continues for Pant
In the last five ODIs, Pant has scored 10, 15, 125, 0, 56, and 18. Although his T20I statistics are slightly better than his ODI statistics, he hasn’t been consistent. Overall, the southpaw has scored 223 runs in 12 ODIs in 2022. There are lean stretches and unnecessary shots that irritate analysts and fans in between huge scores. Pant played an unneeded pull shot in the first and second One-Day Internationals against New Zealand after working so hard to reach 15, & 10 runs, respectively.
Pant VS Samson Debate
Despite his recent outstanding form, Sanju Samson has been forced to remain on the sidelines. Pant struggles to score runs. However, in his conversation with Harsha Bhogle prior to the start of the game, Pant shown great confidence. He made fun of his detractors, who have been pursuing his life for some time.
The recent failures of Pant have drawn harsh criticism from cricket gurus and former players. Even more unexpected is the management of the team’s resistance to including Samson. The Kerala captain played in the first ODI but was benched for the second and was not included in the starting lineup in Christchurch.
Fans have been pleading with the team management to start Sanju Samson in the starting lineup. Samson keeps warming the benches while grinning, which doesn’t seem to bother either of the team’s managers.
Ex-Cricketer on Pant’s Failure
Former Selector Srikant opines on Pant’s form. According to him, Pant should be given a respite in the white-ball forms. Sanju Samson is waiting in the wings and must be in consideration.
“Maybe you can give him (Pant) a break and tell him ‘just wait a bit, come and play in India’, they haven’t handled him well. Are you going to wait for a couple of matches before giving him a break or remove him after one or two games?”
By the end of 2022, BCCI plans to appoint a new selection committee in place of the one chaired by Chetan Sharma. But whether Pant will be comfortable is in doubt. Only Ishan Kishan is the second chosen wicketkeeper hitter for the Bangladesh tour in addition to Pant. Sanju might take his position, and then we might see him participate in the game.
