Hemang Badani Urges Gautam Gambhir to Focus Rishabh Pant on Batting Ahead of Test Series

Advice for Rishabh Pant

Hemang Badani has suggested that Gautam Gambhir should encourage Rishabh Pant, India's vice-captain, to set aside his leadership responsibilities and concentrate solely on his batting. This recommendation is particularly relevant as Pant prepares for the upcoming Test series against England. Alongside the newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, Pant represents a new generation of leaders in Indian cricket following the departures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While Pant has demonstrated his ability to be a match-winner in Test cricket, his recent performances have left room for improvement. His century in the final IPL 2022 match against LSG was a highlight, but overall, his form has been inconsistent.

Hemang Badani's Insights

Badani emphasized the importance of Gambhir's role as head coach in guiding Pant, stating, "It’s crucial for someone like Gautam Gambhir to have a conversation with him and say, 'Rishabh, just play your game.' Don't overthink the captaincy or vice-captaincy; focus on your batting. You have a proven style that has worked for you, and it can benefit the team if you stick to it, especially since he often bats when the second new ball is introduced."

He further expressed his hope that Pant's approach remains unchanged, noting, "He has struck a good balance between aggressive and defensive play. There’s no reason to alter that strategy." Badani highlighted the need to keep the bowlers under pressure, advising against leaving too many balls alone, as it allows bowlers to settle into a rhythm.