Fans recall Rishabh Pant’s ‘babysitting’ memory as ICC posts picture of India keeper with Quinton de Kock

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant might have lost the shine of late and also did not get to play any of the three recent Tests against South Africa. He was being seen as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s natural successor and someone who would serve Indian cricket for a long time. But Pant now has to make a real effort in regrouping his game and thrive for the best.

However, Pant has not lost his jovial mood and was seen sharing a light mood with South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in some of the Tests after the series got over. The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a photograph of the two together and asked the fans to find a suitable caption.

The fans obliged and the most popular response that they came up with was “Babysitter” – reviving the memory of Pant’s famous on-field duel with Australia Test skipper Tim Paine, who is also a wicketkeeper, during India’s tour Down Under last summer.

During that series, Paine had advised Pant to babysit his children after Dhoni was called up for the ODIs following the long-format series. It was light-hearted sledging that was taken in good spirit. And it turned out to be true when the Australian and Indian players went to the residence of the Australian prime minister in Sydney on the New Year’s Day, Pant took a picture with Paine’s family, holding one of the two kids.

De Kock had a good start to the series with a century in Visakhapatnam but failed to continue with the good run for the remaining part. He played the third match in Ranchi as the opener with Heinrich Klaasen doing the gloveman’s job. De Kock could score only four and five in the final Test, respectively, as the Proteas were hammered by an innings and 202 runs to lose the series 0-3.

Pant’s only participation in the series took place on Day 3 of the third Test when he replaced Wriddhiman Saha briefly. His poor showing in the West Indies and the recent T20Is versus South Africa saw Pant losing the limelight during the Test series against the Proteas.

Here are some replies that the fans came up with to ICC’s picture: