‘Rishabh Pant has to justify the faith or else...’: VVS Laxman has a message and warning | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

‘Rishabh Pant has to justify the faith or else...’: VVS Laxman has a message and warning

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Nov 29, 2019 08:50 AM IST

Former India batsman VVS Laxman believes that the presence of Samson in the squad was a message sent out to Pant to start performing.

When India take on West Indies in the upcoming T20I series, there will be spotlight on Rishabh Pant - the young man has been under pressure to find form and with the inclusion of Sanju Samson, he needs to be more consistent in his role. Former India batsman VVS Laxman believes that the presence of Samson in the squad was a message sent out to Pant to start performing.

File image of Rishabh Pant(AP)
File image of Rishabh Pant(AP)

“The team management and the selection committee have passed on a strong message that we got a backup in the form of Sanju Samson. Rishabh Pant has been given a lot of opportunities and I’m sure that they will be communicating and giving him that security within that group,” Laxman told Star Sports.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ: ‘Maybe that was my ego talking’: Virat Kohli narrates pain of WC semis loss

“But then ultimately the player has to justify the faith the team management, the selection committee has been imposing on him,” he said.

“Unfortunately, Rishabh hasn’t been able to do that, but he is that X factor. I still feel that he is an exclusive batsman who can come and change the course of the match just by his ability to hit good balls out of the park.”

Pant was hogging all the headlines not so long back, but then a string of low scores has seen him lose his place in Test side and now, he need to start scoring runs in order to hold on to his place in the shortest format of the game. Laxman also believes that MS Dhoni would want to see and observe the performance of both Pant and Samson which might influence his own decision.

ALSO READ: ‘His action attracts injuries’ - Kapil Dev speaks about Jasprit Bumrah

“I think MS Dhoni will wait with patience to see the performance of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Whenever he gets an opportunity and he will take a call after the IPL because the way I am seeing it, MS Dhoni is preparing himself for the IPL. I’m sure he will do well like he has done whenever he plays and leads CSK,” said Laxman about Dhoni’s future.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On