In the last year, Rishabh Pant has seen a tremendous rise in international cricket. From a struggling talented youngster to a superstar, his journey has been mind-blowing. The exceptionally talented wicket-keeper batter admitted that the ups and downs he has seen have helped him evolve as a player.
Rishabh was part of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. He recently recovered from Covid-19 and is fighting against time to be match-fit for India’s first Test of the series in England at Trent Bridge. Incidentally, Trent Bridge is the same venue Pant had announced himself in Test cricket in 2018.
Pant, who struggled with confidence and uncertainty in India’s playing XI, has had a sensational year. He starred for India on the tour of Australia, playing incredible knocks in the Sydney and Gabba Tests to help the team clinch a 2-1 series victory. He carried that form into the home Test series against England and then in the limited overs series.
“It’s been an amazing journey as I have seen lots of ups and downs early in my career. As cricketers, you evolve, learn from your mistakes and improve yourself and come back to the ground and perform well,”
Pant said in an interview with BCCI.tv.
Pant had been dropped from the playing XI in all three formats several times in his short career. Especially in Test cricket, he was left out on numerous occasions despite his output with the bat. But Pant is in a happy place currently and says he has made the most of the opportunities.
“I am glad that I have learnt from my mistakes and I capitalised whatever opportunity I got after that. I am happy,”
he said.
Pant further added that he tries to learn from the senior players. He shares a very good bond with Rohit Sharma and discusses the game with him. Pant also tries to learn the technical aspects of batting from Virat Kohli.
The 23-year-old wicket-keeper batter will have an important role to play in the upcoming Test series against England. Many experts believe he could be the standout player separating two teams.
Pant understands that playing in England is extremely challenging, and the batters have to make adjustments with regards to batting stance and to see off the bowlers.
“In England, you have to keep in mind that the ball will swing a lot. I have been standing outside the crease and using the crease in and out as well. Especially in these sorts of conditions, you have to respect the bowlers a bit more than you do in other places. That’s what I am looking to do as a batsman in Test matches,”
he concluded.
Pant has scored 1403 runs in his Test career so far at an average of 44, including three centuries and six fifties. Add to that his 83 dismissals with the gloves and Pant became one of the best Indian wicket-keeper batters in history.
