Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun on Tuesday, 12 March, defended under-fire Rishabh Pant, saying it is unfair to compare the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman with the great MS Dhoni.
Pant replaced Dhoni in the Indian XI for the fourth ODI against Australia at Mohali on Sunday, 10 March, with the senior pro rested for the final two games of the five-match series.
It ended up being an outing to forget for the promising ‘keeper, who was guilty of spurning two stumping chances as India failed to defend a mammoth score of 358.
“Unfair to compare Pant and Dhoni. Dhoni is (a) legend, his work behind the stumps is exemplary. When Virat needs someone to talk to, he is a huge influence on the team.”Bharat Arun, India bowling coach
Arun was speaking ahead of India’s series-deciding fifth ODI against the visiting Aussies in New Delhi on Wednesday, 13 March.
The all-to-play-for affair at the Ferozeshah Kotla will also be India’s final international game before the ICC World Cup 2019 in England starting 30 May.
The ongoing series against Australia also served as a final ‘audition’ of sorts for the few spots remaining to be clinched in the 15-man Indian roster for the World Cup, and Vijay Shankar, who has become a serious contender for a berth, drew high praise from Arun.
“Vijay has gained in confidence. He has batted brilliantly at (different) positions given to him. He batted aat number four, six and seven. The confidence he has gained with his batting is rubbing onto his bowling as well.Bharat Arun, India bowling coach
“He was bowling at 120-125, now he is touching 130. He is a huge positive for the team,” Arun added.
28-year-old Shankar has scores of 46, 32 and 26 from his three batting outings in the series, and also proved to be the last-over star in the second ODI at Nagpur, where he took the two remaining Australian wickets with 10 runs to defend.
(With inputs from PTI)
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