Rishabh Pant learnt from his mistakes against South Africa: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rishabh Pant has learnt from the mistakes and has started batting responsibly. Pant scored his first ODI century against England at Old Trafford in Manchester to assist India in winning the three-game series 2-1 in the third ODI.

Pant shared a 133-run fifth-wicket partnership with Hardik Pandya as the duo scripted a rescue act for India. India were at 72/4 when the two joined each other and gave out a miserable time to the English bowlers thereon. While Pandya scored 71, Pant continued to play the big shots and took his side to the win.

“Rishabh Pant seems to have learnt from his mistakes against South Africa. He chased balls outside off stump to slog them over the leg side then, but the way he batted with responsibility yesterday shows how well he paced his innings. The way he smashed a flurry of boundaries towards the end showed that he is someone who can absorb pressure and then attack,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

While Pant put up a brilliant show in the 50-over format, he has not found his rhythm in the T20Is. He led India against South Africa in the five-match series, which ended 2-2. But Pant was not able to play a good knock. Similar was the case with the T20I series against England, as he failed to hit form.

“We will need to wait and see (whether Pant is able to replicate this form in T20Is). He might have found the right template to play white ball cricket,” Gavaskar added.

We need to be patient with Pant: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar was of the opinion that the T20 and ODI formats require the cricketer to fulfil several responsibilities, and both the formats act out in different ways. While Pant has found his place in the Test format and has excelled in the red-ball game, Gavaskar feels that Pant is a match-winner and that he needs to be given a little time.

“In T20s you have to start playing from third gear and move into fifth gear, so it is very different from ODIs. We need to be patient with Pant and realize that he will win us games when he is set, while sometimes there will be failures. We shouldn’t forget that he made his Test debut just four years ago. He is just 24 and at that age, there is a bit of adrenaline rush that tends the batters to play rash shots,” he added.