Team India’s wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant found himself in an uncomfortable position as commentator Harsha Bhogle compared his Test record with his records in shorter formats of the game ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand. Rishabh Pant was quick to respond as he said his records are not bad and he doesn’t believe in comparison.
Doing comparisons is not a part of my life, says Rishabh Pant
India’s renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle asked about his contrasting white and red ball records in the pre-match show on Prime Video. Pant noticeably looked irked by his question. Bhogle also compared Pant’s numbers with legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag’s records.
“Maine Viru se bohut saal pahle ye sawal poocha tha, ab apse puch raha hu. Aapko dekhke lagta hai, white-ball game inki khaas baat hogi but aapka Test record sabse accha hai, “ asked Harsha Bhogle to which Pant replied, “Sir, record toh ek number hai. Mera white-ball record bhi kharab nahi hai. Thik hai T20 ka. “
The discussion went on as Harsha said, “Main kharab nahi kar raha hu, comparison kar raha hu. “ Pant was quick to respond as he said, “Comparison karna toh sir apne life ka part hi nahi hai na. Abhi main 24-25 years ka hu, comparison karna hai toh jab main 30-32 ka ho jayunga tab karna, usse pahle toh koi logic nahi hai mere liye.”
The audacity 😭pic.twitter.com/KNgEYm36O9
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) November 30, 2022
Rishabh Pant regularly finds himself amidst these comparisons. Pant clearly is India’s number 1 keeper in the test format and nobody questions his place in the longer format considering some stellar knocks played by him at such a young age. However, when it comes to shorter formats consistency is certainly lacking in Pant’s game.
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Looking at the numbers, Pant’s record in ODIs isn’t bad as he averages 35 and has a strike rate of 107.54 but when it comes to the T20 format he has certainly struggled as the Indian Team preferred Dinesh Karthik over him for the T20 World Cup. With ODI World Cup getting closer, Pant’s competition is with Sanju Samson who’s now looked upon as a specialist finisher while KL Rahul too does the keeper’s job in ODI format.
