‘Pant is mentally tired, he needs a break’ – Robin Uthappa backs Rishabh Pant to come back stronger

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been under the hammer for his poor form of late. In the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, the batter could only manage 33 runs. Questions are being raised on his place in the team. However, India batter Robin Uthhapa has backed Pant to come good soon. Uthappa feels that consistent cricket over the last one year might have taken a toll on Pant. The southpaw has been a regular member of the India squad in all three formats.

“Rishabh has been on the road with the Indian team for a couple of years non-stop. He has made himself available to play anything and everything without complaining. To be constantly in a bubble sap you. I am certain that also has an implication on the way he performs on the field,” said Robin Uthappa while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Uthappa added that Pant needs a small break which will allow him to come back fresh and stronger. “Maybe lack of clarity or mental fatigue, it could be just that as well. He is a high-class player and it’s a matter of time before he comes back and hits the ball the way we know he can. I think he deserves a bit of a break to just switch off from cricket,” Uthappa added.

Notably, Pant has been rested for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, set to get underway on November 25 in Kanpur. In the absence of Pant, KS Bharat and Wridhhiman Saha are the two wicketkeeper-batters in the team.