
India vs Bangladesh, ICC World Cup 2019: Rishabh Pant needs to improve his throwing technique: Fielding coach Sridhar
The burly Rishabh Pant not only needs to be more athletic in the outfield but also improve his throwing technique, observed fielding coach R Sridhar after his few lapses during the World Cup game against Bangladesh.
Sridhar admitted that as far as fielding in the outfield is concerned, Pant is still a work in progress.
“A lot of work has to go into him (Pant). First of all, he needs to improve his technique in throwing and also needs to be a little more athletic to be an outfielder,” Sridhar said at the mixed zone after India posted a 28-run win over Bangladesh here on Tuesday to make it to the World Cup semifinals.
ALSO READ: India seal semifinals berth with 28-run win over Bangladesh
The skipper Virat Kohli and senior-most player Mahendra Singh Dhoni have identified a few specific fielding positions in the deep for Pant.
“We have to use him in appropriate (fielding) positions, that is what Virat and MS are keen on. Keep him at right places at the right time. In the last game (vs England), he saved at least five runs which is a huge bonus. He took a catch as well,” the former first-class cricketer said.
As per Sridhar’s assessment, veteran Dinesh Karthik is a better outfielder compared to the young turk.
“Obviously, Dinesh despite being a wicketkeeper is a good outfielder. He pulls off some good saves at backward point. Rishabh is developing and he needs to do this a bit more to develop the awareness, to get a hang of it. That’s why we harp about getting fielders in same positions so that they get an idea.”
In a ground like Edgbaston, which isn’t exactly spherical in shape, knowledge of angles becomes important, Sridhar said.
“This is all about awareness just like you saw in the last game against England. This ground is a bit like Eden Gardens. Once you are beaten, there’s no way that you can chase it. There is no point running around towards the boundary line.”
ALSO READ: Yuvraj Singh identifies India’s No. 4 batsman for the future
He then spoke about the solution in such uniquely shaped grounds.
“You have to cut the angles. We are used to playing in such grounds and we will have to be aware of that. You will always not get grounds of spherical shape so awareness becomes key,” Sridhar added.
The fielding coach also gave details about how Indian players are encouraged to throw one bounce into the pitches adjacent to the match strip in order to scuff the leather off cherry, which will then help the slow bowlers.
“We don’t have any equipment to measure the pace of the throw from the outfield. But we ensure that the throw is nice and hard.
“The reason being that once the ball stops swinging, we want to use the practice pitches to bash (scuff) it up a little bit so that the spinners can get some help,” he said.

'Rahane nowadays doesn't give you the security that the team needs': Manjrekar
- Manjrekar’s comments came after India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was out for another low score on Day 2 of the India-England fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

'Pant is in the side to do what he does, can take games away from opposition'

Cheteshwar Pujara in a left-arm spin after Jack Leach gets him again

England greats in awe of Pant, Twitter flooded with congratulatory posts
- The likes of Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell took to Twitter to admire Rishabh Pant’s century against England on Day 2 of the 4th Test on Friday.

SL's Dasun Shanaka cleared to travel to Windies, will join during ODI series

Rishabh Pant, pauses and then purrs for a glorious century

Crowds allowed for double-header in New Zealand

Pant reveals thought behind playing reverse sweep against Anderson

Humbling if fans put me in same bracket as Mr Bachchan and Kishore: Gavaskar

'He will be an all-time great in all formats': Ganguly's prediction for Pant

India vs England 4th Test Day 2: Action in images

4th Test, Day 2 Report: Pant smashes ton as India seize control from England
- India vs England: For someone, who has always been panned for his lack of game awareness, it was Pant 2.0 at play where he defended when it was necessary but unlocked his brutal attacking instincts when required.

Watch: Kohli jumps off his seat, runs to balcony to celebrate Pant's hundred

Rishabh Pant - The ninja in the pack for Team India
- India vs England: Rishabh Pant has always had an undeniable fire in his belly. The same fire that helped him burn down Australia's edifice of invincibility at 'The Gabba'.
