Rishabh Pant reveals why he played the game against RCB despite his father's demise

Rishabh Pant has played some wonderful innings in the tenth season of the Indian Premier League but his team is in a spot of bother as they have lost their last two matches. In the last match against the defending champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad the youngster did not have a good time with the willow as he was dismissed for zero by Yuvraj Singh.

But Pant is known to be a tough and strong cricketer. He suffered a major setback in his life just a day before his side’s first clash of the season against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 19-year-old lost his father but still decided to appear in the first match of his side which gives us an idea of his passion for the game.

Not only did the batter feature in the playing XI but also proved his class to the cricketing world. Pant played a scintillating inning against the Royal Challengers Bangalore as he smashed 56 of just 37 balls almost winning the game for his side.

The Delhi cricketer also revealed the reason why he decided to take part in the match despite all the emotional turmoil he went through following his father’s demise. The cricketer stated that his father dreamt of seeing his son play cricket and that is exactly the reason why he stepped onto the field the next day.

“It was emotionally the most difficult knock of my life, but my father wanted me to play cricket,” said Pant. “He had a dream that I should play for India for a long time. That’s why I played the match. He was the reason why I started to play cricket. I didn’t want to think about what happened, but I had to play the match. Somehow, I managed it.”

His mother had his back and inspired him to beat the tragedy and play the match. “My family wants me to play for India. My mother told me: ‘Don’t think about the tragedy. Play cricket and make your father proud, but it wasn’t easy for me to go for the match,” said Pant.

The wicketkeeper-batsman also added, “In trying times, the nonstop cricket that playing in the IPL always involves, has provided a ‘healing touch’ to the bereaved youngster. It’s helping me slightly, because cricket is so intense, but that thing can’t be forgotten, nor do I want to forget it.”