IPL 2022 | Graeme Smith tips Pant how to seize best out of him

Onecricket

Former Proteas opener Graeme Smith has opined that Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant should bat at No.3 to maximize his skills in the ongoing Indian Premier League.


In the last three seasons, Pant's strike rate has taken a significant dip compared to the period between 2017 to 2019, when he threw caution to the wind and hammered bowlers to all corners.


He has been doing the same for India in the longest format and in ODIs in the last 12-15 months, but the same can't be said about his approach in T20s, especially in the IPL.


Pant has scored 83 runs in three innings thus far this season at a strike rate of 123.88. In the last game, he endured a pain-staking return as the southpaw managed just 39* off 36 deliveries against the Supergiants.


However, Smith believes that Pant has looked in good touch so far and all he needs to do is promote himself at No.3 to maximize his hitting ability.


"Rishabh has got starts in every game, but everyone needs to be patient. The strike rate hasn't quite happened yet, but everyone needs to be patient. Today, DC needed to rebuild after losing a couple of wickets, but the strong finish never came." Smith told cricket.com following DC's final-over defeat to Lucknow on Thursday.


"Maybe the way forward is to promote Rishabh. Get him up to No. 3 and take the pressure off him and give him more time. Maybe this way, he'll be able to set the tone and not think too much." he added.


With the T20 World Cup in Australia just a few months way, this IPL is very important for the likes of Samson and other India hopefuls.


And while Samson and Dinesh Karthik have been doing well, Smith believes that Pant's place in the Indian team isn't under threat, adding that the 24-year-old will dominate works cricket across all formats in the coming days.


Smith said, "I can't see Rishabh Pant missing out, despite the likes of Samson, DK and Kishan doing well. Ultimately, it will come down to combinations. Who gets picked will depend on the conditions and who they are coming up against... Pant has to be there. You can't leave out Pant. He is going to play all formats for India for a very long time. He's going to be a superstar.


Pant will look to revive his form in the upcoming games and take charge of Delhi's fledgling campaign. His next assignment is against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 10.

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