Rishabh Pant has vowed to continue playing his natural attacking game with the bat despite coming under criticism for some of his shot selection.
The young India wicketkeeper batsman is being groomed by the selectors as the long-term successor to MS Dhoni and has been handed the gloves for all three formats in the team’s ongoing tour of West Indies.
However, Pant has failed to really seize his chance in the Caribbean with the left-hander disappointing with the bat in the limited-overs clashes so far bar one unbeaten knock of 65 in the third and final T20.
The youngster has aggregated just 24 runs in his three other innings on the tour with his manner of dismissals leaving plenty to be desired. Despite his inconsistency, Pant remains unperturbed and is confident that the big knock will arrive soon.
Pant’s rash shot-making is under the scanner.
“As an individual, I would like to have a big score at my back but I am not focusing on that every time I go in,” he said on the eve of the final ODI against West Indies at the Port of Spain.
“I just want to play normal, positive cricket. Hopefully I can help my team to win matches. Every match is crucial for me.”
The 21-year-old has already cemented a place in the Test outfit after becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper batsman to register tons in both Australia and England. However, he has failed to translate that success to the limited-overs formats and averages 25.44 with the bat in ODIs after making 11 appearances.
Pant will be in action on Wednesday when West Indies and India lock horns in the third ODI. The visitors lead the three-match series 1-0 after their 59-run win in the second ODI while the first match was washed out due to rain.