This is about Pant’s return and Kohli’s outburst. This wasn’t the first time nor will this be the last time. Unless Kohli is punished quite heavily, his on-field boorish behaviour will never improve. He is guilty of not respecting the opponents or the officials repeatedly. Yet, he somehow escapes everytime he goes overboard. It is ridiculous. For long I have written that Kohli’s on-field behaviour has become a nuisance. His over the top celebration, the verbal altercation that he constantly has with the opponents and towards the spectators, the rather belligerent and brash manner on the field.
Any child who is watching such sort of on-field nonsense is bound to be influenced by the actions of their hero. Kohli is aged enough and matured enough to understand that he has a moral right towards the wider audience and as such his actions, either good or bad is bound to be replicated by the children. No wonder the behaviour standards at the school matches level has gone down drastically. I want to reiterate that Kohli must be banned for some months.
The latest salvo
In the ongoing IPL, against Kolkatta Knight Riders, Kohli was given out of a delivery that at first glance seemed to have been above the waist. However, replays showed that if Kohli had been in his normal stance and his usual position, the ball would have dipped sufficiently to make it a rank fulltoss. Kohli came well down the pitch to meet the ball on the full which at that point, was above the hip. He was rightly adjudged as out. Kohli must have silently walked off the ground and into the pavilion. Instead, he argued with the umpire in the same brash and boorish manner. He did intimidate the umpire. Kohli thinks that because of his exalted status, he can get away with anything. The poor umpire must have felt humiliated.
Kohli did not stop with that. He threw the bat which knocked the dustbin over and it is anybody’s guess as to what he would have done to the dressing room.
How was this incident treated? Quite simple. He was fined 50% of his match fee for violating the IPL code of conduct. Are you joking BCCI? What impact does a 50% fine or for that matter, even 100% fine is going to have on a billionaire like Kohli? He will happily pay the fine and continue with his atrocious behaviour. How long will he be allowed to carry on in this fashion? In a couple of years, he may as well retire. Where is the question of accountability? BCCI is so stupid and impotent against powerful players.
Rishab Pant for World T20
Pant is an asset to the Indian team. There is no second thoughts about that. He underwent a horrific crash from which he is slowly recovering. It is good to see him back to almost complete fitness and his batting and keeping with intensity. Later this year, Australians would dread the sight of Pant. The couple of blinders in the last tour will come back in their minds and will be wary of Pant.
Be that as it may, does Pant command a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup?
Ganguly and Ponting seems to think so.
“I think so, yeah, I think yes,” Ganguly said of Pant’s chances to make it to India’s World Cup squad. “Only 15 can make it, but as in any sport it happens, the most equipped and the better ones play and I think Pant is definitely in that bracket, I’m sure he’ll be going to West Indies,” the former BCCI chief noted.
Ponting said, “I’ve been asked a lot already the last couple of weeks now that he’s back playing what cold be his World Cup chances. I think he’ll be in the squad for sure. He’s too good a player and can have too much of an impact on games for India to not pick him,” the former Australian captain said.”
What do I think?
Not that it matters but I think Pant should not be in that plane to the West Indies. He hasn’t been a huge success in the T20 format. His exploits have mostly been in Test cricket and sporadically, in ODI cricket. He is not a natural in T20. If he is being taken to the West Indies as a keeper, there are far better options. Sanju Samson is one who has been waiting for a proper run in the team. He has been given chances but intermittently. It is not good enough for any player to establish himself. Samson is in good for in the IPL. With his proven ability against pace and spin, not that Pant is a deficiency against either, he could be the one to propel to score further.
Sanju Samson has been knocking on the doors for a very longtime. It is time to give him a proper run atleast in T20. With the return of Pant and the successful series that Dhruv Jurel had in the Test series against England, Test cricket for Samson is more or less ruled out. ODI too is ruled out because of Pant and Rahul. T20 could be the format where Samson will be able to showcase his abilities for the nation.
Wrapping up of Pant’s return and Kohli’s outburst
Kohli must be taught a lesson. If not now, it will never happen. His outrageous behaviour has gone for too long. As for Pant, I will want him to be ready for Australia.
Other blogs about Pant
https://icricketcritique.com/pant-vs-saha-who-is-the-preferred-keeper/
https://icricketcritique.com/should-pant-be-part-of-the-world-cup/