Follow UsFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Cheteshwar Pujara revealed that Rishabh Pant is nowhere ‘close’ to becoming a good finisher like MS Dhoni. Pujara was also adamant that Pant was not a finisher, and he should rather focus on his role as a middle-over batter, between overs 6-15, where he will have time to adjust to the conditions.
"There's no doubt he should be batting up the order. He's trying to do what MS Dhoni does, but he's nowhere near that. He should be batting in the middle overs between 6 and 15. He's not a finisher and should not be doing the job of a finisher," Pujara said on ESPNCricinfo.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s management surprised one and all when they promoted Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni over Pant. While Samad failed with an eight-ball two, Badoni was brought in as an impact player, scoring a 21-ball 36, with six boundaries. Pant walked in at No.7, where he scored a two-ball duck, as LSG could only score 159/6.
"I have no problems with Badoni batting at 4 or 5. I see some rationale there. He's more likely to score runs at the moment than Rishabh Pant, even Abdul Samad, and David Miller. What I don't like is that he's your captain,” Knight said.
“If he keeps sliding down the order when you really need him to step up... He's the one who's going to be standing up and talking to the team, he's your leader. It doesn't look great when your leader is going in the other direction.”
Delhi Capitals (DC) then chased down that target in 17.5 overs, losing just two wickets, as LSG’s season has suddenly turned around negatively.