Indian Cricket: 5 questions that would be answered in 2020

#2 Can Rishabh Pant finally deliver on his promise?

Rishabh Pant has divided opinion in the past eighteen months

A few years ago, a bustling wicket-keeper, blessed with the ability to manufacture shots out of nothing, enthralled the audiences in the domestic circuit and ultimately, cast himself into the spotlight. To many, the left-handed dasher embodied another gloveman who had burst onto the scene in similar fashion at the start of the 21st century.

After all, Rishabh Pant, courtesy his belligerent stroke-play was indeed drawing comparisons to a certain MS Dhoni. And, while that was a testament to the raw talent he possessed, it has acted more as a bane recently, especially whenever the former has floundered.

Additionally, the pressure on the youngster has increased manifold since MS decided to take a sabbatical post the World Cup. To put things into perspective, Pant has had his head coach wanting to provide him a ‘rap on the knuckles’ while the crowd hasn’t been too shy to remind him of his predecessor, during matches.

Each of the above has eventually forced him to endure the myriad trials and tribulations of being a cricketer in India, despite only recently turning 22. Rather unsurprisingly, he has only portrayed flashes of the brilliance he is capable of, with those sparks often threatening to morph into a raging fire without actually materializing.

Thus, 2020 represents a crucial crossroad for the Delhi Capitals wicket-keeper, especially considering the likes of Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are also knocking on the national door.

Moreover, with a long rope in international cricket, he has now had the requisite time to acclimatize to the surroundings and develop mechanisms to handle the pressure that he will inevitably be bestowed with.

Consequently, the upcoming year could indeed decide whether Pant remains a cricketer with great potential or one who actually fulfils his vast reserves of talent.