IPL 2020 : “His condition was nowhere near where it needed to be,” Tom Moody cites fitness for Rishabh Pant’s dipping form

IPL 2020 : “His condition was nowhere near where it needed to be,” Tom Moody cites fitness for Rishabh Pant’s dipping form

Rishabh Pant and Tom Moody

Rishabh Pant and Tom Moody
Rishabh Pant and Tom Moody

Delhi Capitals have had a rollercoaster of a season and it is mainly because their big guns couldn’t fire consistently. Let it be Prithvi Shaw, Marcus Stoinis or Rishabh Pant, none of them could keep up the great starts they had. As a result, DC is now struggling to grab a playoff spot after riding in the top half of the table for a majority of the season.

Former Australia allrounder Tom Moody cites lack of fitness for the Pant’s timid performance in IPL 2020. Moody adds that the lockdown is what caused it but he feels that shouldn’t be an excuse for an international player. Pant has 274 runs under his belt at an average of 30.44 but his strike rate of 112.29 is what has been a major concern.

“I think one of the things that have derailed IPL to this point is because of how he arrived at the IPL. From my understanding, his condition was not in a place it needed to be in,” the former SRH coach told during an interaction on ESPNCricinfo.

“I respect the fact that everyone has been in lockdown and there have been challenges around that, but to me, there is no excuse. Absolutely, no excuse. We are not playing in the 80s or the 70s,” Moody further said.

Understand and accept the mistakes

Rishabh Pant

The 55-year-old Aussie points out that young Pant should be inspired by Indian skipper Virat Kohli and work on his fitness. Moody adds that he must learn from his mistakes and regain his focus before the big Australia tour.

“The Indian team has arguably the best of the role models when it comes to preparations and welfare in their captain in Virat Kohli. So, there is absolutely no excuse,” Moody added.

“So, that derailed Pant not only physically but also mentally. And then he got injured. Surprise, surprise. I wonder why he got injured. Because his condition was nowhere near where it needed to be. You need to help the player regain his focus and understanding. Understand and accept the mistakes, and put it behind and move forward in a positive direction,” Moody signed off.

Pant’s poor performance in IPL 2020 is what got him dropped from the white ball squads for the tour Down Under. But he is still part of the Test team.

Also read : IPL 2020 : “Thought we might qualify easily,” admits Mohammad Kaif after DC’s four losses on the trot