The cricket world is currently debating Rishabh Pant's place in the 2022 T20 World Cup squad following a rough patch. While captaining the side against South Africa, Pant looked out of sorts, scoring just 58 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 105. Beyond the poor statistics, it's the pattern of his dismissals that has fueled the debate over his suitability for the shortest format of the game.
Despite the criticism, India's head coach Rahul Dravid has made it clear that Pant is an essential part of the team's roadmap for the T20 World Cup in Australia. Dravid admitted that while Pant might be disappointed with his recent run tally, the coaching staff isn't worried. He stressed that the wicketkeeper-batter remains a key figure in their strategy for the near future.
Dravid explained that he refuses to write off Pant based on one poor series, reminding everyone of the unique talent and caliber the player brings to the squad. He further noted that India requires batters who can take risks and maintain an attacking approach during the middle overs to put pressure on the opposition.
Dravid highlighted Pant's impressive strike rate of over 158 during the 2022 IPL, arguing that the impact was more important than his total of 340 runs. He observed that the left-hander had shown a glimpse of the dominant form he displayed three years ago, and Dravid is confident that the national team can replicate that explosive scoring at the international level.