We never advise Rishabh on how he should be playing: Mhambrey

CHATTOGRAM: The Indian team management will never advise Rishabh Pant to curb his natural attacking game as he knows his role and expectations from him, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said on Tuesday.

Pant, one of the most destructive players among the current crop, has five Test hundreds and 10 fifties in 31 games with centuries in England, Australia and South Africa.

Ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant was seen going hammer and tongs at the nets on Tuesday and that prompted a query for Mhambrey about having conversations about the left-hander’s approach.

“We are not having any special discussion with Rishabh. That’s his game and we know that. Nothing changes, that’s the way he prepares for any format, white ball and he is pretty much aware about his role in the team,” he said during the pre-match press conference.

“Our conversations are never around the way he is playing as he knows what the team expects of him,” Mhambrey, who has seen Pant from his India U-19 days, said. While he didn’t disclose whether India will go with a third spinner or a third pacer, he was happy that Umesh Yadav, with all his experience, will spearhead the Indian pace bowling.

“Umesh is a very experienced bowler. We all know what Umesh brings to the table. Unfortunately, he hasn’t got too many opportunities as we had Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj playing in England,” Mhambrey said.

“The team management has spoken to him and had discussions and we have lot of clarity as far as Umesh is concerned. The other way I look at it is that he will spearhead the attack and he has a lot of experience going into the series. I am also happy how Siraj has progressed in Tests and happy that he has delivered.”

The former India seamer admitted that Bumrah and Shami will be missed. “Bumrah and Shami will be missed but we look at it as others getting an opportunity to play Test cricket and perform for the country,” said Mhambrey.

Mhambrey also conceded that after at least four months of continuous white ball cricket, adjustment to red ball format will be key.

“We are playing Test cricket after a long time, it takes a little while to have that mental change. You have just come from T20 World Cup in Australia and now it is a different format.

“One good thing is a lot of these guys are playing matches. Siraj (ODIs), Umesh (India A) played lots of cricket. Even Navdeep Saini has played a lot as far as A series is concerned,” Mhambrey said.