Former Indian cricketer and current Member of Parliament (MP), Gautam Gambhir on Sunday said that the Indian team management should comfort youngster Rishabh Pant and support him in his poor form. Rishabh Pant, who is currently going through a run scarcity has raised concerns over his inclusion in the team. Pant’s last scores in ODIs read – 36, 16, 32, 48, 4, 30, 20, 0 while in T20Is – 4, 40*, 28, 3, 1, 0, 4, 65* and 4. Former opener and 2011 World Cup final hero Gambhir came out in the youngster's support and said that the Pant needs someone to put an arm around him and tell him that he is wanted in the team. 

Gambhir: 'Pant is playing for survival'

The Delhi-lad has been the centre of recent debates over his poor shot selection. Gautam Gambhir, however, slammed management authorities for demeaning Pant's motivation by making statements like, "There is a need for a backup of Rishabh Pant and from fearless to careless." Gambhir said that, although he prefers Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant for the role of a wicketkeeper-batsman but this is no way to handle a young cricketer. He expressed that everyone is expecting Pant to play 'sensible' cricket and score more runs for the team. The former cricketer also said that Pant's current mindset portrays that he is playing for 'survival' rather than scoring runs. 

Rishabh Pant phenomenal but tends to get ahead of himself: Klusener

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India looks to seal T20 series

Rishabh Pant is currently a part of the Indian squad hosting South Africa for three T20s and three tests. India is currently leading with 1-0 after two T20s. The first match in Dharamshala was washed away without a ball being bowled and India comfortably squashed SA in the second T20 as Virat Kohli notched up another half-century while chasing a target of 151. The third and final T20 is scheduled on September 22 in Bengaluru and Pant will surely be under scanner as India will look to seal the series. Gautam Gambhir also said that he expects India to boss around in the final match of the T20 series. The test series between the two countries is set to begin on October 2 in Vishakhapatnam. 

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