Nagpur, May 28
If one ask from which player New Zealand has a threat in World Test Championship final, then he is none other than explosive Rishabh Pant. Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has made his reputation as such a player who can change the complexion of the game at any time on his strength. He silenced his critics by displaying match-winning performances in the Test series against Australia and England by playing in a positive frame of mind. Recently he talked to 'Mansworld' magazine and went down memory lane.
While recalling his historic knock in Australia Rishabh said “Muze accha lagta tha ki maine India ko match jita diya bas. As an individual, I try to keep myself grounded because that is now a thing of the past. I focus on living in the present”.
The transformation of Rishabh has not happened in just one night but there is lot of struggle and hard work behind it. He said he was satisfied that he forgot the negative past and thought about the present to contribute to India's victory.
Rishabh's shifting at Delhi from Uttarakhand at the age of 14 years and achieving one milestone after another in cricket happened under the guidance of Tarak Singh. Rishabh's father Rajendra started a school at home the neighbours used to tell Rishabh's father that he should concentrate on education and look after the school. Till then his mother Saroj and father sent him to Delhi. In 2017 Rishabh's father passed away following a heart attack but Rishabh continued to make progress.
After excelling in Under-14, under-16 and Under-23 age-group tournaments, Rishab became part of Delhi Ranji team. His T-20 debut for India and IPL contract were the happiest moments for him. Even after this Rishabh played some good knocks. However, when in West Indies tour he failed to deliver both as a wicketkeeper and batsmen he was dropped from New Zealand tour in 2019. The critics said Rishabh was finished and he couldn't able to retain his place in the team due to fitness. Rishabh said, "That was a difficult time for me. I was feeling very low in my life. As other youngsters, I was also disappointed but didn't lose my heart. I continued to motivate myself in lockdown and 2020 IPL proved lucky for me. Team India's batting coach Virkam Ratod told me the difference between being 'carefree' and 'careless' and even coach Ravi Shastri warned me of 'a rap on the knuckles".
Rishabh said, " At this level of international cricket, you get a lot of exposure, you get to meet lots of people and experience a lot of things. In between all of t this you get lost as an individual".
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'Credit to Dhoni for my success'
Rishabh gave the credit of his success to MS Dhoni. "Mahi advised me to focus on such things which is in my control and during Australia and England tours his advice had a positive effect. I also learn from him how diet control is vital to remain fit".