'My Favourite Throwing Some Serious Challenges At Him': Gambhir Warns Pant

Gautam Gambhir has warned Pant ahead of the first T20I against South Africa at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday

Describing India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant as an exciting talent, former India star opener Gautam Gambhir has warned Pant ahead of the first T20I against South Africa at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday. Gambhir raised alarm bells for Pant by reminding him of another young talented wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson, who is throwing some serious challenges at Pant. Declaring Samson as his personal favourite, Gambhir described that Samson can possibly replace Pant in the Indian squad. Pant had a dismal show with the bat in the recently concluded Windies tour as he scored 0, 4 and 65* in three innings against the hosts. “Rishabh Pant is always exciting but he has to watch his back as my favourite Sanju Samson is throwing some serious challenges at him,” Gambhir wrote in his column for Times of India. With uncertainty over Dhoni's future, Pant has become the preferred choice as  wicket-keeper batsman in all three formats in the Indian cricket team. Ahead of the first T20I vs Proteas, Pant said he is working really hard to win more games for his country. "The team played really well (in the West Indies). I am looking forward to improve myself and helping team India to win more matches." Asked about the South Africa series, he said: "We have practiced really well and mindset is good. We will look to do well." Pant said there will be home advantage, but the Proteas are a good unit too. "Our planning is going well. We will have home advantage but they are a good side," he concluded. On his comparison with legend MS Dhoni, Pant said that he loves Dhoni and is not bothered about comparisons with the decorated former India captain, rather choosing to focus on his own game. "I just love him. I am focussing on my cricket and taking one match at a time. I am trying to improve everyday," Pant said at an event here when asked about Dhoni.