Rishabh Pant is struggling with his performances as both batter and captain of the eliminated Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
What happened?
The management has already moved on from him in the ODI and T20I scheme of things, and after the rap on the knuckles he received from the chairman of selectors, a demotion in Test cricket hasn’t come at the right time either.
Pant appears mentally worn down after 11 woeful matches in the IPL, the pressure of being the most expensive player in the tournament, struggles with the bat, and operating under the constant gaze of an owner whose history isn’t encouraging.
Why it matters for Rishabh Pant
Pant is arguably India’s best Test batter over the last four years, averaging higher than all his contemporaries, barring Yashasvi Jaiswal. Since 2022, Pant has scored 1885 runs in just 23 Tests at an average of 47.12, including five hundreds and 11 fifties.
In terms of aggregate runs, he ranks fourth behind Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja, but has played significantly fewer matches than them.
What comes next?
The BCCI has little to no replacement for Pant, who performs a unique role in the lower middle order, batting at No. 6, which comes with its own set of complications. When the entire team was struggling, Pant produced scores of 99, 60, and 64 even as New Zealand’s spinners ran India ragged in a 3-0 whitewash.
Pant’s consistency equally stands out, having maintained remarkably high standards across conditions in Test matches. In his last seven Test series, Pant averaged 61.66 against Sri Lanka, 49.33 and 53.66 in two separate series against Bangladesh, 43.5 against New Zealand, and 68.42 against England last year.
The only truly underwhelming affair Pant endured came in Australia, where, barring Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy, almost every Indian batter had a tough time. Even in India’s most recent Test series against South Africa, where Pant averaged just 12.25, it felt more like a rare off series than a larger decline.
Pant’s captaincy has never found too many admirers, but if there is one thing he needs right now, it is to feel wanted and to be given a chance to prove himself once again. The last thing Rishabh Pant needs is to feel unwanted and unappreciated by the BCCI and the Indian team management.
On the other hand, the BCCI should consider the fact that Pant has been India’s best Test batter over the last four years and has consistently performed well in the format. It would be harsh and uncalled for to mentally exhaust him and make him feel unwanted.
The Afghanistan series could have offered Pant a welcome break from the IPL, allowing him to return to the format he loves most and is best suited for, but the squad announced turned sour. For starters, Pant is arguably India’s best Test batter, and the BCCI should consider his performances before making any decisions about his future in the team.
It is understandable why Pant suffered not one, but two brainfade moments, including a shocking F-bomb, with Ian Bishop last evening. Barely an hour before the toss, Pant got to know he was no longer Shubman Gill’s deputy, having been replaced by someone far more senior.
The BCCI should take into consideration Pant’s mental state and give him the support he needs to perform well in the upcoming series. It would be a mistake to mentally exhaust him and make him feel unwanted, as it could affect his performances and ultimately harm the team’s chances of winning.
In conclusion is not needed, the focus should be on the facts and the current situation of Rishabh Pant, and the BCCI should make decisions based on his performances and the team’s needs, rather than making him feel unwanted and unappreciated.