India vs Australia: Sunil Shetty leaps to defend an under-fire Rishabh Pant

Veteran Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty has come out in defence of India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who is facing criticism from all over after his poor display behind the wickets during the fourth ODI against Australia. With the incumbent MS Dhoni rested for the final two games of the ongoing series, the fourth ODI was the first audition for Pant ahead of the World Cup and it is safe to say that it did not go well.

Pant started the game on a good note by playing a quickfire knock of 36 before his wicketkeeping let him down as India failed to defend 358. Pant missing a stumping chance in the 44th over of the game. which gave Ashton Turner a mighty reprieve, turned out to be the game changer. Turner, who was batting on 38 at that time, was well out of the crease when Yuzvendra Chahal had fired one down the leg. However, Pant failed to grab the ball, allowing Turner to return to the crease safely.

Turner went on to smash his way to an unbeaten 84 off just 43 balls, helping Australia chase down their highest ODI total with 13 balls remaining. Prior to the missed stumping, Rishabh Pant had missed chances earlier too and had looked completely off-colour. A frustrated Mohali crowd had then made his day even more miserable by chanting the name of Dhoni.

And with almost everyone slamming the youngster for his mistakes, Shetty has leaped in his defence. The Bollywood superstar was quick to point out the 21-year old’s achievements before motivating Pant as he tweeted: “He’s just 21 and represents India in all 3 formats. Let’s introspect and see what we were doing at that age. Give him a chance. @RishabPant777 u are pure talent keep the focus, you got this !”

Here is Shetty’s tweet

He’s just 21 and represents India in all 3 formats. Let’s introspect and see what we were doing at that age. Give him a chance. @RishabPant777 u are pure talent keep the focus, you got this ! pic.twitter.com/GDySpRgiGU

— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) March 11, 2019

Don’t compare Pant and Dhoni:

Following the game, Pant’s senior teammate Shikhar Dhawan had also defended him. Dhawan, who scored a career-best 143 in the match, went on to say that it is unfair to compare the youngster with the experienced Dhoni.

“Rishabh is a young bloke and like any other youngster, you have to give time to him. Rishabh is still finding his feet. You cannot compare Pant to Dhoni [bhai], given the experience he has having played over the years,” Dhawan told the media in Mohali.

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