'He has talent in abundance, but he has a long way to go. He has to pick up fast if he has to last long in the Indian Test team. He has to learn a lot. There were two occasions where he could have won the game (with his batting) for India. But he did not know how to apply himself, at that stage,' Syed Kirmani told MyNation
Bengaluru: India’s legendary wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani heaped praise on Rishabh Pant for his talent but advised him to change his attitude in order to succeed and have a long Test career.
The 21-year-old Pant, who made his Test debut in England in August, has so far impressed with his aggressive batting and also his glovework has been good. However, he has been criticised for not being defensive enough in batting when the situation demanded in the longer format of the game.
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Already, in his nascent Test career, there have been instances where he has thrown his wicket away to rash shots even when the team was in trouble.
So far, Pant has played seven Tests, three ODIs and 10 T20Is. In Tests, he has already hit 15 sixes in 12 innings, showing his ability as a batsman who is more intent on playing his shots.
Having watched Pant’s batting in the five-day format, Kirmani is of the opinion that the left-hander should curb his attacking instincts.
“He has talent in abundance, but he has a long way to go. He has to pick up fast if he has to last long in the Indian Test team. He has to learn a lot. There were two occasions where he could have won the game (with his batting) for India. But he did not know how to apply himself, at that stage,” Kirmani told MyNation.
Kirmani, who played 88 Tests for India, said the team management needs to talk to Pant and tell him that six-hitting will always not work.
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“You cannot get along with your flamboyance all the time. You cannot win a match with a six all the time and you cannot reach your hundred with a six all the time. That is what he has to be told (by the team management). I have a feeling that he has a little bit of an attitude. He should curb his attitude. He should look down, not look up. He is in the initial stages (of his international career) and this is where somebody (in the team management) has to build his character. And this is my observation without being prejudiced and without criticising. These are the things which might hurt (a player). But, truth always hurts. Somebody has to point out the flaws (to Rishabh Pant),” the 68-year-old added.
With the four-Test series level at 1-1, India will face Australia in the third Test from December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). And Kirmani has backed Virat Kohli and him men to bounce back after losing the second Test in Perth.
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