Southpaw has amassed 281 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 152.71 but has struggled to convert his starts into meaningful contributions.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is having a rough IPL season. He has shown glimpses of his destructive power, but could not take the team over the line, as he has done many times in the past.
“I think once he gets the pace he shouldn’t change, he should be in the Russell mold in this format of the game,” Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo’s ‘T20 Time Out’.
Just beating around the park @RishabhPant17 PS Wait for the last shot for the #RP17 special… https://t.co/HBu2laQBhI
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) 1652175186000
“You put in your eye, you’re hitting it well – don’t think too much. Whoever the bowler is, if he has to smack, smack him. Who knows, you guys win more matches than expected.” can. to.”
Shastri feels Russell, one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket, has clarity of mind apart from another, which will also serve Pant, who is capable of playing combative innings.
“Russell is very, very clear in his mindset. It’s bang-bang-bang once he’s in the mood. There’s nothing stopping him, not even a negative thought. Who will peek through his system – it’s smacking in (just about everyone).
“Rishabh is fully capable of playing that way, and I hope he thinks that way because you will see some special innings from him in T20 cricket.”
“He is starting and then getting out in a way that he doesn’t like, but I don’t think he should change his pace,” Shastri said.
former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori Pant feels that he is at his best when he is carefree and outdoes the opposition.
“Rishabh Pant is almost at his best when it comes to being careless, and we have seen him play some exceptional innings when he takes teams down time and again,” Vettori said.
Focused #Yeh Hai New Delhi | #IPL2022 | #TATAIPL | #IPL | #Delhi Capitals | @RishabhPant17 https://t.co/cYcFlg6OWp
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Capitals lack a quality finisher and Pant has taken a conservative approach out of a sense of responsibility.
“It’s a team game, you don’t expect a guy to try and win the game all the time. But in that short amount of time, if he does damage, there would have been enough damage to bring that required rate to 12 per over. It’s for 10 overs. Then it’s up to the rest of the guys to take them home,” Vettori said.
Capitals need to win their remaining three matches to reach the playoffs and Shastri wants Pant to bat at No.
“I want to see him bat at three for Delhi Capitals, especially now that the heat is on, when they have to win. Let him go and smack him.”