Rishabh Pant’s mother went to temple straight after learning of his World Cup call-up

For Rishabh Pant, it was better late than never. The ace wicketkeeper-batsman was initially ignored for India’s World Cup campaign in England as he lost the race for a berth to the more experienced Dinesh Karthik. However, his chance eventually came to the 21-year-old Delhi cricketer after Shikhar Dhawan crashed out of the mega tournament with a broken thumb. Pant’s exclusion had left several fans disappointed but now, he is all set to make his World Cup debut in the same country where he made his beginning in Test cricket a year ago.

Pant was given the SoS call after Dhawan was sidelined with the injury he sustained in the Australia match on June 9. He reached England as a cover for the opener and it was only on Wednesday that he became a formal replacement for Dhawan after the latter was ruled out. India requested the International Cricket Council for Dhawan’s replacement and it was granted.

The dream that looked too far for Pant on April 15 when the Indian squad was announced, is now within his reach, two months hence. The youngster is now eagerly looking forward to realising his childhood dream of playing in at least one World Cup for his country.

I worked harder when I was not selected

“When I wasn’t selected (for the World Cup in the original squad) I thought I did not do too things right and I became even more positive. I worked harder when I was not selected. Then I did well in the IPL and kept pratising,” Pant told Chahal TV, which is anchored by his teammate Yuzvendra Chahal, on bcci.tv.

“Everyone (in the team) has only dream: to help India win the World Cup.”

Pant also revealed that after he got the back-up call for Dhawan, he told his mother before anybody else and she went straight to the temple to pray for his son.

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Here is the video of Pant’s interaction:

MUST WATCH: #TeamIndia‘s latest inclusion in the side @RishabPant777 is elated post his selection in the squad & wants to win games for India #CWC19

Our latest guest on Chahal TV – Rishabh Pant – by @RajalArora @yuzi_chahal ????????

Full video link ➡️➡️ https://t.co/NQe8ykrrDK pic.twitter.com/4ITWO5xa5z

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2019

It may be mentioned here that when Rishabh had belted the second ball he faced in Test cricket for a six in England last year, his mother had expressed surprise. He had gone to score his maiden international hundred in that Test series and backed it up with another scintillating ton in Australia earlier this year.

India next play Afghanistan in the World Cup in Southampton on Saturday.