Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag believes young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant could be India’s ‘next big superstar’ if he learns how to bat for full 50 overs.
Rishabh Pant is in brilliant form with bat. He continued his dream with the bat in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against England, scoring 77 runs off 40 balls in the second game and then adding 78 runs off 62 balls in the final match. His contributions helped India in sealing the series 3-2.
And now, former Indian batting legend Virender Sehwag has showered praise on Pant. Sehwag feels that 23 year old is the biggest positive that has come out of the series for India. On top of that, the former India opener, who was known for his explosive batting style, added that Pant reminds him of his early days.
“The biggest positive that has come out of the series is Rishabh Pant. Because when he comes to bat in the middle overs in the ODIs, and the 2nd powerplay comes up, he uses it perfectly. I feel it is important for him to stay in this team, he has quite a positive mindset. He reminds me of my early days. He doesn’t think much what others are saying, he just goes out to bat,” said Sehwag in a chat with Cricbuzz.
Rishabh Pant Could be The Next Superstar in White-Ball Cricket: Virender Sehwag
However, Viru feels Pant could become the next superstar in white-ball cricket if he learns how to convert the 70s and 80s into big hundreds, and to bat till the end of innings.
“But only if he learns how to bat for full 50 overs, and bats till the end, and learns to convert the 70s-80s into 100s, he could be the next superstar for India. The wicket was very good, the ground was short. Sometimes, you will get slow wickets, and you will not be able to hit your shots. How he gets out of those situations is very important to know, so he must know that,” Sehwag said.
“In the IPL, when he was not able to score runs, he must have changed something which was why he was able to score runs in Tests. But in ODIs, and in T20Is, if he learns to bat till the end, and make the most of my abilities, then he can be the next superstar in white-ball cricket,” the Nawab of Najafgarh signed off.