Rishabh Pant made his entry into the Indian team with the reputation of being an explosive wicket keeper batsman who can fit in the void which is set to be left by MS Dhoni in the future. His comparison with the legendary Indian captain was so obvious, but Pant likes learning from Dhoni rather than competing with him.
Recently in an interview with Bombay Times, Pant explained his relationship with the former captain, his prospects of the career and the famous banter with Tim Paine.
“I do think about the comparison with Dhoni sometimes, but it’s too difficult. If I am learning from him, I can’t possibly think that I can be in his league overnight.
"I am just trying to learn from him. I consider him my mentor. He has taught me so many things — be it how to work on my batting or mind-set before I go to bat, and most importantly, keeping calm in pressure situations.
“At 21, if I start thinking that I have to fill Dhoni’s shoes, it will get very difficult for me. I just try to keep it simple. I want to play the game to the best of my ability and learn from everyone around me, especially my seniors."
After Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket, Wriddhiman Saha tried cementing his position but his injury gave Pant a chance to make his debut in 2017. Since then, he has performed quite well with the bat, getting centuries in bowler-friendly conditions like England and Australia. Still some fans and cricket pundits think he is still young for the job.
“It’s good for a player to get an early break. Besides, I am not getting anything for free. I have worked hard and earned my place in the Indian cricket team. Nobody has gifted that to me.
"Nobody says, ‘please come to the team’. That’s not the case. If you don’t perform well, you won’t be selected. It’s as simple as that. Everyone has to justify their spot in the team.”
Speaking about his World Cup campaign, where he came into the playing side after opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan got injured, he said although he could not quite live up to the high expectations, he deserved the spot in first place.
“I didn’t expect to make it to the WC as a wild-card entry. I had hoped that I would make it to the final 15. I had worked for it. It was a dream come true to play the WC, but no, I never thought the opportunity would come like this. I was happy.
“I remember I was in my hometown Roorkee, when I got a call from the BCCI saying, ‘Just be ready. You may have to come to the UK, so be in Delhi’. I told them that I am in Delhi already (smiles!). I had an intuition that I will get that call.”
Recalling one of the memorable moments of his career, his babysitter banter with Tim Paine, he said, “I was laughing at it. I have no clue how he thought of calling me that. It was fun. When I met his family, his mother wanted a photo with me. His wife was standing around with their two kids. She asked me if she could also take a picture with me.
"I actually held one of the kids for the photograph, saying I can be their babysitter. She posted it on Instagram, and it went viral. It was a friendly banter. Also, whatever happens on the field stays on the field. I don’t take it home or hold grudges.
“I love the banter actually. I won’t ever start anything (sledging) first, but if someone pushes my limit, I have to give it back. I can’t just listen to anyone and keep quiet.”
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Dibyangshu Sarkar
