Pant, who is expected to be MS Dhoni's successor, has become the preferred choice as the wicket-keeper batsman in all three formats. However, apart from a half-century in the third and final T20 International against the hosts, his careless shot selection throughout the tournament has come under heavy criticism; not being able to convert his handy innings into big knocks after getting set is something that invited a lot of critical comments from fans and cricket pundits.
"This is a shot that Rishabh Pant will want to forget but shouldn't. It should remind him of how much ability he is wasting. He is a batsman-keeper, not the other way around, so his batting must speak for him even more," Harsha Bhogle aptly put after Pant's dismissal vs WI on Wednesday.
Indian team fans lashed out at Pant for throwing away his wicket at crucial time. Here are some reactions:
With India having a packed schedule in the next six months, Pant was asked about how he sees things panning out for him.
"Every match is crucial for me and it is not about the next six months. Everyday of my life is crucial and I want to improve both as a cricketer and as a person. That's what I am looking forward to," Pant told reporters during a media interaction.
"As an individual, I would like to have a big score but every time I go in, I am not focusing on that. I have been getting out after getting set, so I want to play normal, positive cricket that can help my team win matches," Pant said.