Ajinkya Rahane Talks About The Curious Case Of Rishabh Pant Ahead Of The First Test: Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian test vice-captain is one of the most talented cricketers India currently has in the longest format of the game. Over the games, he has given many brilliant performances and helped team India win the matches in the crucial times. However, he is one of the most underrated cricketers as well.
Ajinkya is one of the very few Indian cricketers who can understand and relate to the current situation of the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. Touted to be the primary choice of wicket-keeper in all three formats of the game until last year. Rishabh seems to have lost his place in the Indian XI in all three formats of the game.
It has been a while since Rishabh Pant has been under the scanner of criticizers because of his poor performances and bad form. After failing to perform in a number of opportunities, Rishabh Pant was eventually replaced by KL Rahul as India’s wicket-keeper. On the other hand, Wriddhiman Saha’s superior glovework helped him replace Rishabh Pant in the longest format of the game.
Ajinkya Rahane was also dropped from India’s playing XI despite being India’s vice-captain in the first Test in South Africa in 2018. However, the cricketer made a solid comeback to cement his place in the playing XI of the country. In an interview, Ajinkya Rahane talked about how he wants Rishabh Pant to do the same.
He talked about how it is important to accept what one is going through. He said:
“It’s important to accept whatever you are going through. Be positive, try and learn as many things as possible from any of the players. Not saying it has to be senior or junior”
Talking about how no one would like to sit outside, he said:
“See no one likes to sit outside but whatever your team needs on a particular game, you have got to accept that. I think acceptance is really important talking about that particular individual. Focus on controllables, keeping working hard and improve as a cricketer.”
He added:
“You should try and focus on what he can control as player and keep visualizing that you will get an opportunity. You know what your role is. For Rishabh, he bats at No 6 or 7, so keep visualising about what if he gets an opportunity and what his role is. Keep it simple,”
