Pant will be massive player once he starts getting runs: Rathour

Batting coach Vikram Rathour on Saturday said Rishabh Pant will be a "massive player" for the Indian team once he starts getting runs, backing the under-fire wicketkeeper to the hilt.

Asked why the Delhi keeper-batsman kept getting chances despite low scores, Rathour attributed it to his "immense ability".

"The reason why we keep discussing him is that he has got an immense ability. Everybody believes he can be an X factor. All of us believe he is a good player who can come good. He is working hard on his game and fitness.

"... Because he has done well in the past in this format. Once he starts getting runs, he can be a massive player for the Indian team, he can be a match-winner," Rathour told reporters on the eve of the first ODI against West Indies here.

When asked if it was time to give him a break, Rathour said it has not come yet.

"I don't think the time has arrived yet. Again he is working on certain things. He is looking good in the nets. He has been decent in the T20s.

"He was asked to do a certain job in the last T20 which he did. That's what the team looks for."
Regarding Rahul as a wicketkeeping option, he said, "That is something the team management will have to see, of course that is an option."
"That's a difficult problem to address when the top order is doing But I don't think we can do anything as a team to address it."