Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has described Rishabh Pant\u2019s inability to replicate his Test dominance in the IPL as \u201cvery surprising\u201d, arguing that the wicketkeeper-batter\u2019s T20 output does not match the level of talent he has consistently shown in red-ball cricket. While Pujara believes Pant remains among India\u2019s most accomplished batters across formats, he suggested that the key issue in T20s could be mental clarity and approach rather than technique.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pujara said he expects a player of Pant\u2019s attacking capability\u2014someone who can take on bowlers in Tests and in the IPL as well\u2014to deliver more consistently based on impact and opportunity. He pointed out that when Pant\u2019s IPL numbers are compared with his reputation, the returns appear less impressive than his Test record.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also very surprised because someone like Rishabh Pant who can attack any bowler in Test cricket and his IPL, when we just look at the stats, it is not as good as in Test cricket,\u201d Pujara said. He added that Pant continues to be viewed as a top all-format batter in the country, but feels his mindset may be affecting how he translates that skillset into T20 innings.<\/p>\n
Pujara also noted that Pant\u2019s contrasting performances across formats have become a talking point. In Tests, Pant remains India\u2019s preferred wicketkeeper, but he is no longer part of the T20I setup and is currently behind KL Rahul in the ODI selection pecking order.<\/p>\n
Pujara highlighted the stark statistical difference between Pant\u2019s endurance in Tests and his shorter-format returns. In 49 Test matches, Pant has amassed 3,476 runs, including eight centuries and 18 fifties, with notable hundreds in England, Australia and South Africa.<\/p>\n
By comparison, his IPL record stands at 3,757 runs in 134 matches, with a strike rate of 146 and two centuries\u2014figures that Pujara and many observers consider modest given his reputation as a high-impact batter.<\/p>\n
Pujara stressed that Pant may not need major technical alterations for T20 cricket. Instead, he believes the batter\u2019s success depends on clearer decision-making and a more defined plan when he comes out to bat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is the mindset thing also. There has to be some more clarity in the way Rishabh plays,\u201d Pujara explained.<\/p>\n
He added that, from a technical perspective, he does not see a pressing need for extensive changes. \u201cTechnically, I don't see a lot of changes which is needed in Rishabh's batting. It's just the mindset,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Pujara, Pant looks far more assured about where to score in Test matches than in T20s. He suggested that in the longer format, Pant knows his key areas well enough to pick the right gaps even when the field is set deep.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt's also clarity of thoughts, clarity in what he needs to do when he walks in to bat and the kind of shots he should play because in Test cricket, he knows that these are his areas and even if the field is kept on the fence, he still picks the right pockets to hit the shots,\u201d Pujara said.<\/p>\n
The veteran batter also pointed to a potential limitation in Pant\u2019s white-ball game. Pujara believes Pant has more dominance on the leg side in T20s, and feels he would become even more effective if he developed his game on the off side as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn T20 format, he is a little more dominant on the leg side where he will have to work on his game on the off side which will allow him to be even more successful,\u201d Pujara added.<\/p>\n
Pujara also questioned whether captaincy pressure could be influencing Pant\u2019s IPL performances. He suggested that leadership responsibilities have not been helping him to the extent expected, and that focusing purely on batting could improve his output.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen that captainship hasn't been helping him a lot,\u201d Pujara said. \u201cEspecially in the case of Rishabh Pant, if he is focusing more on his game, that will definitely help him.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Pujara made it clear that the final call rests with Pant and the franchise management.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Rishabh Pant plays as a player will his performance get better? If it does, then I'm sure he should do that, but it is always a personal call,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Pujara also defended Suryakumar Yadav amid criticism about inconsistency in T20 cricket, saying the impact of innings matters more than maintaining constant statistical output in the format.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsistency is overrated in a T20 format,\u201d Pujara said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has described Rishabh Pant\u2019s inability to replicate his Test dominance in the IPL as \u201cvery surprising\u201d, arguing that the wicketkeeper-batter\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8028,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Pujara Reacts to Rishabh Pant IPL Form, Mental Clarity","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Cheteshwar Pujara reacts to Rishabh Pant\u2019s IPL struggles, calling his lack of impact \u201cvery surprising\u201d and pinpointing mental clarity as the key issue.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n