I am working on uppercut which I had watched Viru bhai play: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant, the Indian Under-19 wicket-keeper and now the wicket-keeper batsman of Delhi Daredevils is a hard fought guy who had come into the spotlight in the Under-19 World Cup. He has been good with the bat for his IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, who bought him for 1.9 crores.

Rishabh Pant has been a sensation for the under-19 team, especially being a wicket–keeper batsman, he has the ability to bat steadily and can play big knocks along with some real big hitting.

Rishabh talked about setting targets that build up to achieve bigger goals and being the best that he can be. He is so glad to share the kind of support he gets from his family and his supportive coach in Tarak Sinha.

His father taught him the method of setting targets and rewarding yourself on fulfilling them. Rishabh Pant had decided himself that he would take a picture with his India U19 coach, Rahul Dravid, only if he scored a century in the ICC U19 World Cup. “I had never taken a picture with Rahul sir. I had kept a target for myself that I would do so when I score a 100 in the World Cup, not otherwise. So the high point after scoring the ton (against Namibia in the quarter-final) was that I could now take a picture with Rahul sir.”

When speaking about the current Indian Under-19 cricket coach and former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, Pant said that he was scared initially to speak with Dravid.

“When Rahul sir became our coach, I was worried how to talk to him and all of that. I had only seen him on TV and never thought he would be my coach. Now he is with Delhi Daredevils (in the capacity of mentor) also, so we talk more often. Earlier I was in awe of him and scared, and so initially I wouldn’t talk to him. He is nice and wants people to talk to him. He is also very disciplined; never late.”

“I set various kinds of targets for myself – small targets and big targets. I am happy if the team benefits from your performance, otherwise, the century won’t matter so much. So the most important thing is that the knock or effort should contribute to the team’s success,” he added.

Rishabh Pant has been playing is different slots for his side, and when asked about how he adjusts himself to change his position every now and then, he said: “You do whatever the team needs. Sir (Tarak Sinha) says you should be flexible. Wherever you play you should score. Your job is to make runs not think about the position.”

“There is not much difference (in preparation). But yes, if you open you have more freedom to play your shots. My effort is to play according to what the team needs from me at that time. In U19 WC, I had batted at different positions for every match that I played in. I scored a quick century, compiled 57 off 83 (against New Zealand) and so on,” he was quoted saying when asked about his preparation for batting in different slots.

Rishabh said that he earned some advice from the Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan while he was playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. “During the Vijay Hazare Trophy I had batted with Shikhar (Dhawan) Bhai and he had said, ‘play your game, don’t take pressure.’ Powerplay doesn’t mean that you have to necessarily go after the bowling. Earlier you would want to go for as many as you can but now you have the new ball from both ends and it swings, so even if you get 45-50 runs that’s good. Earlier while wanting to score quick runs I would take (undue) risks, but he said take your time to get in and then later you can cover up,” he elaborated.

“We work on discipline and learning to relax. I tend to concentrate a little too much (become tense). I would take too much pressure, so now I am learning to loosen up and play my shots as well. The team backs me and that helps as well. It eases off the pressure. When I made my IPL debut (against the Gujarat Lions) I didn’t feel the pressure because of the support. We lost, but I learnt from it and you should learn from the IPL.”

“The dressing room is positive and supportive. I get along with Mayank (Agarwal) Bhai. We all gel well and I don’t feel out of place.”

Rishabh Pant is one of those cricketers who works really hard in the nets and he likes to improve each day. He feels that the batsman should add one shot to their armory every year, otherwise, the bowlers and the opposition teams will plan out for you. “You have to add to your game (constantly). One can’t keep playing the same way, have to evolve or the bowlers will work you out. Teams plan for you. You should add one shot every year,” he says. “I am working on uppercut which I had watched Viru (Virender Sehwag) bhai play,” he said.

“In the IPL, the target is to do well in whatever matches I get. Perform no matter what.” Pant concluded.

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