IND vs WI | Our responsibility is to give Rishabh Pant space and support him, states Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has revealed that it's the Indian team management's responsibility to support a underfire Rishabh Pant, who will be under the scanner during the upcoming series. His whimsical work behind the stumps and wrong DRS calls have also drawn criticism from former cricketers and experts.
Rishabh Pant, despite being one of India's prominent future prospect and highly-rated youngster, has not yet lived up to the expectation at the highest level. With India team selectors closing the door on legendary wicketkeeper MS Dhoni and giving ample opportunities to young Pant, it was expected of him to have sealed his position by now.
Pant has been criticised for not being able to convert the starts and also taking wrong decisions regarding DRS calls. Indian skipper Virat Kohli, ahead of the first T20I against West Indies, came out in full support of the dynamic wicket-keeper batsman acknowledging Pant needs some space and support from the team during his unstable phase.
"We certainly believe in Rishabh's ability. As you say, it's (also) the player's responsibility to do well but our responsibility is to give him space, to support him. He should get support and it is disrespectful if you don't get it," Kohli stated.
"As Rohit (Sharma) said recently, he needs to be left alone, he is a match-winner. Once he comes good, you will see a very different version of him. He can't be isolated to such an extent that he doesn't do well. We are here to do things for him," he added.