Rishabh Pant had a forgettable IPL season where he struggled with the bat and while leading Lucknow Super Giants, who are eliminated from the playoff race and are placed at the bottom of the table. But former India wicketkeeper and chief selector has backed Pant to make a great and strong comeback.
Pant, who has scored 286 runs from 13 matches in IPL 2026, was also replaced by KL Rahul as India’s vice-captain in Tests, also losing his second wicketkeeper spot in ODIs to Ishan Kishan.
“No, it’s nothing like that; I am not disappointed at all. Pant is in the team, and I am very happy. He is a fighter, a player with immense courage, has a big heart, and has performed exceptionally well, winning (Test) matches single-handedly. I have worked quite closely with him, and I know him very well.
“Every cricketer goes through a phase like this; you pass through such times. So I think there will definitely be a great comeback, and a strong comeback. When his life was saved and he returned to the team, he performed so well, so this (current phase) is nothing compared to that,” More told IANS.
Speaking about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has scored 579 runs in 13 matches for Rajasthan Royals at an incredible strike rate of 236.32, More called him a special and rare talent.
“No, look, he is a special player, and God has created and sent him, so I think it’s a great thing that he sent him to India. You will keep watching him, as he will score a lot of runs in the future.
“Even if he doesn’t, he is still a special player for me. But just let him play cricket freely and don’t put too much pressure on him because he’s performing so well at such an early age. I think it’s all part of that ‘wow factor,’ and I want him to play Test matches, one-day matches, and T20s whenever he makes his debut for India,” he said.
