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Really worried for Rishabh Pant because the way he is playing is really alarming: Rajkumar Sharma

Ahead of the T20I series against South Africa, Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had warned Pant, saying there will be a rap on the knuckles if he plays a bad shot.

Rishabh Pant got out for four runs during the second India versus South Africa T20I in Mohali. ©AFP

Rajkumar Sharma, Delhi’s bowling coach and Indian skipper Virat Kohli‘s childhood coach, on Friday cautioned Rishabh Pant following his failure in the second Twenty20 international against South Africa in Mohali on Wednesday.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, who has come under scrutiny following his inconsistent performances in the limited-overs cricket, got out for four during India’s seven-wicket win over the Proteas.

“Its high time, he should be careful, T20 is his favourite format and he is not able to perform. He has quality strokes, he is an impact player and a match-winner too but unfortunately, he is not delivering,” Sharma was quoted as saying by ANI.

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Ahead of the T20I series against South Africa, Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had warned Pant, saying there will be a rap on the knuckles if he plays a bad shot. Batting coach Vikram Rathour had said that Pant needs to play fearless and not careless brand of cricket.  Sharma said he was worried witnessing the way the left-hander is batting.

“I am really worried for Rishabh Pant because the way he is playing is really alarming and the kind of comments are coming especially from Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour is a matter of concern,” said Sharma.

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Sharma also lauded the Indian side and echoed coach Shastri’s comment of the current team is the best travelling team.

“The Indian team has given a consistent performance and I have not seen team India being so consistent in the past 20 years. I second Ravi Shastri’s statement that this team is the best travelling team,” said Sharma.

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“The way team India is playing, I don’t think there is any chance for South Africa to bounce back. South Africa is inexperienced…India will convincingly win the third T20I,” added Sharma.

Sharma also lauded his disciple, Kohli, as he became the leading run-getter in the T20I cricket. Kohli, who scored unbeaten 72, surpassed Rohit Sharma to top the list.

“99 per cent of the time he doesn’t know what he has achieved in terms of records. I always inform him about his records, he plays selfless cricket and his stats tell that how big a player he is,” concluded Sharma.

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