As India build towards the World Cup, they can't have a batter as one-dimensional as Pant, especially against quality oppositions.
The world's best players don't take long to make such changes, and Pant should be able to turn it around.
(END OF THREAD)-------------
1
1
12
Replies
Rishabh Pant's comeback has been mightily impressive, but his off-side range seems to have died completely.
Pant is scoring less than 34% of his runs through the off-side in
#IPL2024
. In IPL 2022, that figure was 54%.
What could be the cause? (THREAD)
5
18
168
Pant's fitness (or lack thereof) has often been pinpointed as the reason behind his leg-side dominant play. But in IPL 2024, he seems to be in better shape than ever, at least visually.
Pant has labored between the wickets at times, but he looks lean and strong.
1
1
12
An obvious tell in Pant's game is that he's trying to access areas behind square on the leg-side too much.
He's shaping up to play it towards fine leg even when the ball is on the stumps, taking shots like the cover drive and anything through point out of the equation.
1
0
11
Generating power behind square on the leg-side isn't easy, particularly when bowlers try to take pace off.
In order to, Pant needs to swivel his body through the shot and rely on his handspeed (or whippage). It has come off at times, but he's also looked terribly ungainly.
1
0
12
Hitting through the off-side is, in itself, an act that is supremely dependent on momentum (shoulders, arms and body in general) going through the shot. Suresh Raina's masterful inside-out shots were the prime example of this.
1
0
11
When Pant is shaping up to hit through square leg, and not even midwicket or long-on, it's near-impossible to adjust his body orientation to access the other side.
A simple tweak such as trying to hit it mildly straighter could be enough to unlock the cover and long-off areas.
1
0
11
Pant has always been unconventional - his is a technique that somehow works for him. He did take down Mohit Sharma through the off-side earlier this year, but it's been few and far between.
1
0
11
@parkedatcover
Pant vs Samson in starting 11, what's your take based on data, current skillsets and venue conditions?
1
0
1
@geetbehera
I don't think it's even close rn
Samson should be ahead - miles better vs spin, in better form, more versatile with not only shot-making but position too
IND will need LHBs, but Pant doesn't offer much vs the spinners, can manage with Dube/Jaiswal/Axar
Will check the data soon
0
0
1