‘Modify your game or risk being dropped’: Rishabh Pant issued blunt warning

Rishabh Pant issued blunt warning (BCCI Photo)

Despite being one of the best talents in the nation and a well-liked figure among fans, 28-year-old Rishabh Pant hasn't reached the career heights he would have liked. Pant hasn't demonstrated the consistency the team expects from him, despite putting up some amazing match-winning performances since making his debut for India in 2018, particularly in the whites. Pant now only participates actively in Test matches for the Indian side; he has few opportunities in ODIs and T20Is.

Former India spinner Amit Mishra has advised Pant to "modify his game" or face being dropped from the team as he attempts to navigate this stage of his career.

"I have very high expectations from Rishabh Pant. Given the kind of player he is, he will also have to modify his game. Now, you can't really call him a youngster anymore - he has been in the team since 2018. That's what I'm saying: after a certain point in time, it becomes very important to modify your game," Mishra said during a chat on the Men XP podcast.

"The opposition teams are watching you closely. They are observing you, understanding your game, and planning against you - where you hit fast bowling, which balls you don't attack, they notice everything. So you also need to be aware of that. You can't keep saying, 'I got out the same way again here.' That's something you must avoid," Mishra added.

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Pant has frequently been accused of playing careless strokes and throwing his wickets away. As a result, Mishra has cautioned Pant that at this point in his career, he needs to alter his approach and batting style.

"If a particular shot doesn't work on a certain pitch, then don't play it. You can't insist on saying, 'This is how I play, this is my game.' Then go ahead and do it - you will do it for four or five matches more and eventually get dropped. You can't expect it to work everywhere. You won't get the same kind of wicket everywhere where you can keep hitting fours and sixes. At some places, you'll get turning tracks; at others, there will be bounce or swing. How you handle those conditions - that's up to you," he said.