Rohit Sharma throws his weight behind Pant, says 'leave him alone'

Stand-in India captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday strongly backed an under-fire Rishabh Pant, urging critics to "leave him alone" as he is only trying to execute team manment's strategy. Pant, whose shot selection has come under scanner on several occasions, became centre of unwanted attention due to his poor glovework in second T20 against Bangladesh in Rajkot. He botched up a stumping of Liton Das with third umpire ruling that his hands were slightly in front of stumps when he dislodged bails.

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Rohit Sharma backs Rishabh Pant

"You kw re is a lot of talk happening about Rishabh Pant every day, every minute. I just feel that he needs to be allowed to do what he wants to do on field. I would request everyone to keep ir eyes away from Rishabh Pant for a while," skipper Rohit said on eve of T20 series decider against Bangladesh at Nagpur.
 

"He is a fearless cricketer and we (team manment) want him to have that freedom. And if you guys take your eyes off him for some time, it will allow him to perform even better, added Rohit. 

t so long ago, Pant was preferred choice in all three formats but Wriddhiman Saha played ahead of him in three Tests against South Africa at home last month only on basis of superior glovework."He is a young guy, 22, trying to make his mark in international cricket. Every move he makes on field, people start talking about him. It is t fair. I think we should allow him to play his cricket which actually he also wants to do," Rohit didn't hide his irritation at constant criticism that Delhi man is subjected to. With bat, he has t been able to carry his IPL form into T20 Internationals, having scored 352 runs in 22 games at 20.70. In 12 ODIs, he has scored 229 runs at 22.90. 

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'Focus on Pant's good things': Rohit Sharma

In fact, Rohit said that just like his unimpressive performances are highlighted, re should be a focus on good things also."Focus on him a lot more when he is doing good things also, t just bad things. He has been learning, re have been times he has kept well also. He is trying to do what team manment wants him to do."

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