‘Rishabh Needs That Freedom'

White-Ball Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma Says Pant Must Be Allowed To Enjoy His Cricket And Play Without Pressure

- Gaurav Gupta

IF WE CAN LET RISHABH PANT BE RISHABH PANT, HE WILL COME OUT AND GIVE YOU THAT PERFORMANCE. I’VE SAID IT IN THE PAST MANY TIMES. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO BE HIMSELF. LEAVE RISHABH PANT ALONE. AS THE TEAM MANAGEMENT, WE ARE PREPARED TO DO THAT. BUT ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO THE SAME?” —Rohit Sharma

Mumbai: Recently, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Rashid Latif had a simple explanation for Rishabh Pant: “Woh apne liye nahin khel raha, woh humare aapke liya khel raha hai (He’s not playing for himself. He’s playing to entertain us).” Indeed, the wicketkeeper-batsman is now box office, and a new reason for cricket fans across the world to switch on the TV when India are playing, even though the team has the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in its ranks.