Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson can go long way if groomed well: Syed Kirmani

The Indian Premier League has reached the final stage of this season. The top 4 teams have made their way to the playoffs where they fight for the IPL trophy. The league stage saw the domestic young Indian players steal the show with their consistent and superb performances.

The likes of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson have dominated the bowlers with their extraordinary and aggressive batting throughout the tournament. Pant had done exceptionally well as the wicketkeeper of the Delhi Daredevils side while Samson who did not don the gloves this season too have been pretty consistent behind the wicket for the domestic matches.

Syed Kirmani, the former India wicketkeeper has been impressed by the performance of both the wicketkeeper-batsman in the tournament and he feels that if the two are groomed well, they can become a big thing in the international cricket. While in conversation with a Hindustan Times Correspondent, Kirmani suggested that the young wicket-keepers who are coming through the U19 circuit are in the process of becoming really good.

They have a lot to improve: Kirmani

Kirmani, who was part of 1983 World Cup winning team added that “These two have been doing a great job but they have a lot to improve which will come only with experience. They should keep for quality spinners to gain more experience in different conditions and pitches.”

The 68-year old Kirmani opined that the two needs to be groomed in the domestic circuit and if they can perform consistently, then one can confirm their abilities. He felt that judging the two by their one season’s performance will be wrong. Kirmani was mighty impressed by the range of shots Pant played in the IPL but felt that you may not see those shots being played in the Tests or 4-day games.

The two should show consistency

“Sanju and Rishabh should be groomed in the domestic circuit. But it has to be seen in the long run. You cannot just consider the performance of one season. Then only will you know where they stand? The kind of phenomenal strokes Rishabh played in IPL, I don’t think he will be playing the same in Tests, four-day or 50-over matches,” said the Chennai-born Kirmani.

Talking about the importance of grooming the players, the former wicketkeeper-batsman added that he has seen players get lost due to money power. “Grooming is very important. It helps a player get experience and confidence. If they want to last long, they also have to keep their heads on their shoulders. I have seen many youngsters going into the wilderness because of money power etc,” said Kirmani.

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