India batting coach Vikram Rathour responds to question on dropping KL Rahul for Rishabh Pant in T20 World Cup

KL Rahul might have failed in a couple of games but that's t a big eugh "sample size" to drop him and include Rishabh Pant at top of order, batting coach Vikram Rathour said on eve of T20 World Cup match against South Africa on Sunday.

Rahul scored 1 off 4 balls against Pakistan while a touch and go leg before decision saw him get dismissed for 9 off 12 balls against Nerlands.

While Pant has shown a lot of intent as Rohit Sharma's opening partner in brief chances that he has got, Rathour made it clear that talented Rourkee man will have to wait for w.

". We aren't really t thinking about that," Rathour dismissed idea of Pant's inclusion for time being.

"I don't think that's a good eugh sample size anyway. He's been batting really well and also batted well in practice games. So we aren't changing anything," he was categorical in his reply.

While Pant is an absolute match winner, it is difficult to fit in both Dinesh Karthik and him in same playing XI. Also with team roping in Karthik for a specific role, re is chance that 37 year old will be kept out of playing XI.

"Only 11 can play unfortunately and I kw and understand Rishabh is a fantastic player and we kw he can be destructive against any opposition," said Rathour.

While Rathour wanted to soften blow but it was clear y are t even thinking about Pant.

" mess to him is be ready and your chance might come anytime. He should be mentally and physically ready. He is doing that and you might have seen him practicing regularly.

"I am sure he will be ready whenever opportunity comes," Rathour's words sounded a bit hollow if one tried to read between lines.

When asked about why Rahul has a tempered approach in Powerplay compared to Rohit Sharma, he did admit that once he is back in form, things will change.

"Every player has his own way of playing and constituting ir innings. A good partnership is one where each one complement each or. If Rahul is in good form n he can also be aggressor," former Punjab stalwart added.

He also said that re is conscious pattern to Virat Kohli's approach.

"t really. It depends on conditions and we pride on being a team that adapts to conditions. He (Kohli) is a good eugh to change his game as per conditions. He has done that brilliantly and we expect him to keep doing that," he stated.

batting coach also feels that in this World Cup, re won't be too many 200 plus scores. "Playing with intent is goal. Looking to score runs but we are looking to adapt as well as per conditions. I don't think se are 200 plus wickets so we will need to adapt," Rathour said.