BCCI, team management and the selectors shouldn’t be too harsh on Rishabh Pant – Adam Gilchrist

Former Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist reckons the BCCI, team management and the selectors shouldn’t be too hard on Rishabh Pant. The left-hander was dismissed after scoring only 14 runs in the first T20I against the West Indies on Friday.

Pant hasn’t been able to grab his opportunity while playing in the shortest format of the game. The left-hander had scored a fine knock of 125 runs in the third ODI against England but he is yet to prove his mettle in the T20I format.

In fact, the pugnacious left-hander has grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the Test format but he is yet to take the limited overs versions by storm.

The southpaw has scored 629 runs in 51 T20I matches for India at an average of 22.34 and a strike rate of 124.32 and thus he hasn’t been at his best. However, Gilchrist believes the selectors need to be patient with him as you don’t want him to lose his natural flair.

Pant has the skills to turn the match on its head but he should be converting his chances in the T20I format as he is a key player in the Indian squad.

“He (Pant) is one of the most exciting cricketers to watch, I think he just lights up a stage and makes an electric atmosphere when he is playing, that is wonderful,” Gilchrist said while talking to reporters.

“The BCCI, the management and the selectors will just need to be patient with him. A few innings if he doesn’t score they shouldn’t be too harsh on him, because you don’t want to suppress the natural flair,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gilchrist reckons it will be wonderful if the Indian cricketers are given a green signal by the Indian board to take part in other T20 leagues. According to BCCI rules, no Indian players are allowed to participate in T20 leagues across the globe.

“It will be wonderful (if the Indian players are allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues), I personally feel that it won’t diminish the IPL, it will only grow them as a brand. If they (Indian players) can play in Australia or South Africa,” Gilchrist told reporters.

India has taken a 1-0 lead against the West Indies and the second T20I will be played on Monday.