Rishabh Pant needs to be consistent, asserts Gautam Gambhir

Ever since the selectors have turned their back on MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant came into fore with his highly -rated game-changing ability. More than a year of trial in all three formats, Pant has failed to deliver up to the expectations, sometimes with his rash short selector or with his clumsy work behind the stumps.

Former India opener and 2011 World Cup-winner Gautam Gambhir shared his thoughts on Pant’s inconsistency. Although Pant scored a 69-ball 71, Gambhir believes he has to keep playing such innings on a regular basis to repay the faith shown on him by the Indian team management.

"He (Pant) needs to be consistent, he is playing in all three formats. He is not playing Test cricket but he is part of the squad which shows the faith from the team management - but he still needs to get more consistent. He needs to convert the 60-70s into 100 as well, that's what MS Dhoni used to do a lot as well. Even if he (Pant) would not get those big 100s, he would be their righty till the end," Gambhir commented after Pant’s 71.

Pant was involved in a 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (70) for the 4th wicket to give India a fighting total of 287. The duo’s 70s were nullified by Shai Hope(102) and Shimron Hetmyer (139) which ensured a comfortable eight-wicket victory for the Windies.

Meanwhile, for Iyer’s performance batting at number 4, Gambhir said, “Meanwhile, commenting on Iyer's batting from 1st ODI, Gambhir said: "He (Iyer) has waited for this opportunity for a long time, and now he is taking those big shots. I really want him to convert those 60s - 70s to a 100 and that is what will make him exceptional from the rest of the middle-order batsmen. That is what Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul do, Shreyas Iyer needs to that as well."

India will be looking to equalise the trailing equation of 0-1 in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.