Its high time Rishabh Pant should be careful, says Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma

Rishabh Pant’s performance for Team India is fast becoming an enigma. The youngster had arrived on the scene as a hard-hitting batsman whose game was suited for the limited-overs format. But in the last year or so, Pant’s form has been completely opposite. While he has been an absolute revelation in Tests, his form in ODIs and T20Is has left a lot to be desired.

In the last season, Pant scored Test centuries in England and Australia and became the first Indian wicketkeeper to do so. However, the southpaw is struggling to perform in the same manner in the shorter formats. With MS Dhoni out of the scene, the team-management is giving Pant a consistent run but the latter has failed to justify it thus far.

He failed miserably in West Indies and the start of the home season was not great either. In the second T20I against South Africa, Pant had the chance to get into his groove. However, he once again failed to get going and was out for just four runs.

Rajkumar Sharma, the childhood coach of Indian skipper Virat Kohli, has now asked Rishabh Pant to play sensibly. Sharma advised Pant to be more careful while playing his “favourite” T20 format. He was all praise for the left-hander but rued the lack of contributions from him. He also expressed his apprehensions over the recent comments from India coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour for Pant.

“Its high time, he should be careful. T20 is his favourite format and he is not able to perform. He has quality strokes, he is an impact player and a match-winner too but unfortunately, he is not delivering,” Sharma was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.

“I am really worried for Rishabh Pant because the way he is playing is really alarming and the kind of comments are coming especially from Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour is a matter of concern,” added Sharma.

Sharma praises Team India

Rajkumar Sharma was all praise for Team India. In fact, he called the current team the most consistent Indian side of the last 20 years. He also reiterated Shastri’s claims that the Virat Kohli-led side is the best touring side. “The Indian team has given a consistent performance and I have not seen team India being so consistent in the past 20 years. I second Ravi Shastri’s statement that this team is the best travelling team.

“The way team India is playing, I don’t think there is any chance for South Africa to bounce back. South Africa is inexperienced. India will convincingly win the third T20I,” he added.

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