Sourav Ganguly: Rishabh Pant is a ‘special talent’ but selection depends on selectors

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Image Courtesy: Reuters/BCCI

This has been the talk of the town for years now and Sourav Ganguly spills the bean once again. BCCI President and former India Captain has once again praised Rishabh Pant.

Pant has been the front runner in replacing Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the wicketkeeper of the Indian cricket team.

Seeing Rishabh Pant’s recent form he has done no justice to his selection as his form with the bat hasn’t bee great. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have looked in fine form to replace the Delhi keeper but it seems that the Indian selectors would like to give Pant a longer run.

The former Indian skipper while highlighting Pant’s selection on Tuesday said, “These are selection matters which are dealt with by selectors. But Rishabh Pant is a special talent and we saw how he played well in the two matches he played against West Indies. His record in Test cricket has been good, but the end decision would be left to the selectors.”

Image Courtesy: Reuters/BCCI

Indian limited overs Vice-captain has also given the wicket-keeper some tips and has asked him to not keep a ear to what the world wants him to do. Sharma has alos asked him to concentrate on his game and have a good work ethic in order to improve his game properly. “I was telling Pant the same thing. Poor guy is only 21 and people are telling him to score hundreds in every game, do this and do that. I mean cut some slack man. I told Rishabh ‘Create a wall and ensure that nobody comes inside. It’s your safe-house. People want to talk about you, let them do it outside that wall and you do what you intend to do inside your zone’. Who knows it might help Rishabh. It worked for me at least.”

India keeper Parthiv Patel also gave a piece of advice to the 21 year old keeper from Delhi as he advised him to ignore the critics and work and focus on his game. “Today’s youngsters have got that advantage of playing with the big players and sharing the dressing room with them. But when you are struggling for form, you get opinions from all quarters. It’s about keeping yourself away from opinions and focus on your game,” Patel said.