Rishabh Pant is a 100-Test cricketer: Kiran More

On September 21 2014 when a 17yearold opening batsman Rishabh Pant representing a Delhi colts team in the under19 JY Lele All India Oneday Invitation Tournament in Baroda carted eight sixes and 22 boundaries in his 133ball 186 against a Baroda Cricket Association BCA XI former India wicketkeeper Kiran More immediately noted down his name in his mobile phoneWhenever I see a talented boy I have a habit of noting down his name in my mobile I said to myself hes a long race horse Now I say he is a 100Test player and not just because on Tuesday he was brilliant behind the wickets against England in the second Test More who was chairman of the national selection committee between 2004 and 2006 told IANSAs if you reassure More Pant didnt stop at helping Delhi win that game by 130 runs at the Moti Bagh Stadium The next day again playing as an opener he slammed a 67ball 120 containing seven sixes and 15 boundaries against a BCA Invitation XI to guide Delhi to a 125run winOn Tuesday Pant effected two jaw dropping stumpings of Dan Lawrence and Moeen Ali to help India wrap up the second Test against England on the fourth day This was in addition to his brilliant onehanded catches to his left to dismiss Ollie Pope and Jack Leach in the first innings In addition he scored a crucial 58 not out in the first innings This performance showed how much he has improved in the recent pastRishabh Pant has really worked hard in Australia when he moves with the gloves you can see the difference in his reactions He has shed a lot of weight and has worked hard on himself It is showing the way he kept with so much turn and bounce on Chennais MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch credit to him We want him to keep improving as a wicketkeeper because we know the value he brings to the team said captain Virat Kohli after Indias 317run win on TuesdayWhile some experts questioned Pants ability as a wicketkeeper and his weight More says he never had any doubt about his talent and capabilityEverybody had a question mark against his wicketkeeping But I never had any When you dont allow that boy to play in India how is he going to learn To play abroad is more difficult than in India Thats my simple argument On turning pitches a wicketkeeper is always going to come into play Everybody saw today what he can do More who has worked with Pant at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in a few short stints pointed outPant has played 14 of his 18 Tests abroad and only four in IndiaHe has taken some great takes he has effected some great stumpings On the way hes going to miss a few But hes just 23 and is going to improve and become the top wicketkeeper in world cricket His attitude is superb he doesnt care Of course there is a lot of scope for improvement he saidFormer India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani too is very impressed with Pants performance in the second Test at the MA Chidambaram StadiumHes a bundle of gifted talent His wicketkeeping and stumpings were marvellous brilliant Particularly his stumping of Lawrence after the ball had passed between the batsmans legs was brilliant because you are blinded while collecting the ball on the leg side His reflexes agility etc was superb on a vicious pitch I dont have words to express my feelings He is a game changer for sure Kirmani told IANSThis boy is abundantly gifted and he should be left alone and people should keep encouraging him He still has to work a lot on his agility and reflexes etc He has to make a little change in his attitude because complacency could creep in subconsciously said the former chairman of national selection committeePants childhood coach Tarak Sinha said that the security of selection has provided confidence to his wardWhen one is assured of his place in the team he blossoms That is a major reason for Rishabhs good performance is this Test He had the support of the entire team His reflexes are good and the stumping of Lawrence is a result of those reflexes In future he will only get better and better said Sinha who coached Pant at his Sonnet Club in DelhiHe scored runs in the first against England 91 and 11 and that provided confidence to him And that confidence has rubbed on to his wicketkeeping A wicketkeeper has to concentrate on each ball all the time Its a game between the bowler and the wicketkeeper His concentration used to momentarily waver and that led to lapses Now his concentration is better he emphasisedPant has scored 1256 runs at 4485 in 18 Tests including two centuries and missing five others from handshaking distance besides six halfcenturies He has taken 71 catches and effected five stumpingsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever