VVS Laxman explains backing Rishabh Pant despite latter’s repeated failures

India’s wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant is having a terrible time with the bat in the ongoing series against New Zealand. In the five games played, including the ongoing one, the left-hander hasn’t been able to justify his chances. In the last five months or so, his T20I batting form was always under scrutiny.

The fans thought that he would do good in the ODIs. However, the Delhi player has disappointed the fans in every game. With Sanju Samson waiting in the wings, the team management has been criticized for repeated chances to Pant despite his failures. Meanwhile, ahead of the ongoing third ODI, the stand-in head coach VVS Laxman has defended the former India U19 player. The former explained the reasons for repeated chances to Pant.

Laxman reminded the fans that Pant scored an ODI century against England in July this year. The former India Test player further added that it is important to ‘keep backing’ Pant.

“It’s about giving them opportunities and also informing them whenever they aren’t picked. Pant has been doing well at no.4, not too long ago he scored an important century at Old Trafford and it’s important to back him. T20 cricket has given batters more confidence about clearing the grounds no matter how big the outfields are, they also work a lot with the range-hitting,” Laxman told Prime Video before the start of the third ODI between India and New Zealand in Christchurch.

Rishabh Pant failed to grab another opportunity in the third ODI

Meanwhile, the Uttarkhand-born player couldn’t make the best of the opportunity he got in the ongoing game against the Kiwis. After scoring 10, he got out. Talking about the game, the Men In Blue were folded to 219. In reply, the home team amassed 104/1 in 18 overs before the rain interrupted the game.