XtraTime Web Desk: Indian cricket team’s young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant didn’t have a great outing in the Nidahas Trophy T20I Tri-series in Sri Lanka but according to him he gained a lot of knowledge during his interaction with the team’s head coach Ravi Shastri in the tour. Shastri gave him some important tips to work on some specific skills to play better in the forthcoming Indian Premier League season 11.
Pant only scored 23 and 7 respectively in the two T20 game in the Lankan soil and after that he was dropped from the team and experienced Dinesh Karthik capitalized on that chance to hand Indian cricket team an unforgettable win in the final against Bangladesh. He remained not out on 29 from 8 deliveries.
“I am working on certain skills and also fitness with my coach Tarak Sinha (Sonnet coach). While returning from Sri Lanka, I had an interaction with Ravi Shastri. He told me to work on certain skills and I am trying to implement it in my game,” Pant told after his training session with Delhi Daredevils.
On being asked what did Shastri say to him during the interaction, Pant replied,”It’s between the coach and his player. I can’t disclose that. It was a good interaction. The atmosphere in the Indian dressing room is fantastic. I learnt a lot. Failures often teach you a lot and I believe I will comeback harder.”
He has played under Rahul Dravid (for U-19, India A and Delhi Daredevils), whose main focus with junior teams has been the “process” and now he will be under Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s tutelage.
“Ricky sir gives you a lot of positive vibes. He is someone who always wants to win and same with our skipper Gautam Gambhir. I am expecting that things will change this season,” said the glovesman.
However whether the coach is Dravid or Ponting, the execution of plan depends on the player.
“The coaches can work on your mindset but it is the player, who has to give his hundred percent and execute it on the field.”
While he had a good Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, Pant started the season on indifferent note during the Ranji Trophy, where he couldn’t repeat the 900 plus runs season like 2016-17.
“I was in a good frame of mind but these things happen. You get a good ball, sometimes get out down the leg-side. It’s part and parcel of the game but you need to keep working hard.”
He doesn’t feel the pressure now that Karthik has made the second wicketkeeper’s slot his own.
“I don’t think there will be desperation to perform for this reason. And about pressure, it’s always there irrespective of whether it is Ranji Trophy, IPL or India.”