Rishabh Pant to be put under specialist wicketkeeping coach, says MSK Prasad

India’s worries over Rishabh Pant are far from over. The youngster is expected to play it big each time he goes out in the middle but he has been a disappointment both with the gloves and the bat of late. The memories of his two magnificent Test hundreds are fading fast and nobody really knows how to better things from here. Pant was found wanting behind the stumps in the third ODI against the West Indies in Cuttack on Sunday. And now, chief selector MSK Prasad has said a specialist will be asked to help the 22-year-old to improve his glovework.

Pant, who has played 11 Tests, 15 ODIs and 26 T20Is till date, was under the guidance of former India wicketkeeper and chief selector Kiran More to work on his keeping. And with his ordeal behind the timber continuing, the selection panel head said a specialist keeping coach will be dedicated to the struggling youngster.

“Pant needs to improve his keeping skills. We will have him work under a specialist wicket-keeping coach,” Prasad told reporters in New Delhi on Monday after the Indian squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka and Australia, respectively, were picked. Pant has been chosen for both series.

The Indian team management has backed the dashing keeper-batsman to the hilt but the fans’ patience seems to be running out. The supporters have been found chanting Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s name in the recent home series against Bangladesh and the West Indies after Pant failed to impress. In one instance, captain Virat Kohli was even seen expressing his disappointment with the crowd for mocking Pant.

Brian Lara stands by Rishabh Pant

Former Caribbean legend Brian Lara, like many others from the fraternity, sympathized with Pant saying the young cricketer was under a lot of unnecessary pressure. He recalled it was not so when he was 21 and he prepared for international cricket and in the process, did stuff like cleaning the boots of another legend of his time Sir Vivian Richards.

“I think the burden is unnecessary. He should be allowed to play and allowed to express himself. Don’t feel it’s a do-or-die situation,” the Quint cited reports quoting the former West Indian captain as saying.

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