Lion in Test, heap in IPL… Pujara discovered Rishabh Pant’s weakness, told how to achieve success

Mumbai. Cheteshwar Pujara is surprised that a great batsman like Rishabh Pant plays very well in Test cricket, but why his performance in IPL has not been that good. Pant is the first choice wicketkeeper batsman for India in Tests, but his place in limited overs cricket has weakened.

Despite winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, Pant is not in the T20 team and is the second choice after KL Rahul in ODIs. Pant has played 134 IPL matches in the last few years, in which he has scored 3757 runs. There are two centuries and 20 half-centuries in this. His strike rate is 146, which is considered a little low as per the top four batsmen. At the same time, he has scored 3476 runs in 49 tests, in which there are eight centuries and 18 half-centuries. He has also scored centuries in England, Australia and South Africa.

GeoHotstar’s expert Pujara said on Wednesday, ‘I am also very surprised because a batsman like Pant can play any bowler in Tests, but when we see his IPL figures, he does not look as good as in Tests.’ He said, ‘I think this is a matter of mentality. Pant should bring a little more clear thinking into his game. Pujara said, ‘I still feel that a batsman like Pant can play in all three formats. His T20 record should be better than it appears.

Pujara feels that Pant’s game in T20 is mostly on the leg side and he should work a little on his ability to play shots on the off side. He said, ‘In T20 he plays more on the leg side. He will have to improve his game on the off side, so that he can be more successful. Pujara said that Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya will have to see whether the pressure of captaincy is affecting his game or not. But this is not the case with Pant.

Pujara defended India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who is struggling with poor form, saying that playing well consistently in the IPL does not matter much. He said, ‘It is not very important to play well consistently in T20. I agree that Surya’s performance has not been very good. Pujara said, ‘Yes, it can be improved, but in T20 you play a role for the team. If you come on the field and score 20 runs in eight balls and it benefits the team, then even if you get out, that personal performance is not taken into account.