XtraTime Web Desk: Mahendra Singh Dhoni made all the other wicket keepers waiting for a decade to play for India. After his retirement from test cricket India got bunch of new talents behind the wickets. Wridhiman Saha did his job brilliantly but got injured and ruled out from the upcoming England test series. Rishabh Pant likely to make his debut in the series.
“It was a great feeling to hear that I had been included in the Indian Test squad. I always wanted to be a part of the Indian Test squad and it was more like a dream come true for me. It was an amazing feeling, not only for me but also for my family and my coach Tarek Sinha sir, who helped me understand the game very early in my life. He has always wanted me to play Test cricket for India and when I got the call, he was very happy and proud and I enjoyed that moment,” Pant told.
The youngster already made a mark as he scored half century for the India A against England. He was also praised by another legendary cricketer and India A team coach Rahul David as he said, “He has the temperament and skills to bat differently. He is always going to be an attacking player but reading of the situation when you are playing red ball cricket is required. We are glad he has been picked into the national team and I hope he takes this maturity into the national team and hopefully builds from thereon,”
Pant got a very impressive record in the domestic cricket including the IPL 2018. He scored over 900 runs in the domestic season for Delhi.
He doesn’t see a difference in his preparations when it comes to white-ball and red-ball cricket, or for that matter with Indian and English conditions.
“I reckon there isn’t too much difference, but it has got more to do with shot selection. In red ball cricket, with the field placements, you can look around; take your time, because you have five days to play. Whereas in limited overs cricket you have limited number of balls to play and score.
“I have so far enjoyed my preparation with red ball cricket. The Duke ball swings a lot when you’re here in England and initially when I started playing here with India A, I realized that the swing will come a lot into play in these conditions,” he explained.
Having been with Dravid ever since his under-19 days, including a couple of seasons when they were together in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils, Pant is all praise for the conversations the two have had, which has mainly been on the mental aspect of the game. “The only thing he always tells me is that you need to be patient about everything, be it on the field or off it. Also, how I need to work harder on my game when it comes to red ball cricket since I’m a positive batsman, but at times you need to play to the situation. See the pace of the game and change your game accordingly. These have been my learning from him wherein he has helped me a lot,” he noted.
Pant has also been the newbie around the Indian dressing room, trying to observe, pick brains. He continued, “Every time I come to the Indian dressing room, there is one thing that has always stood out for me. It is the positivity in the dressing room. Everyone is supporting and backing each other, which is the most important factor about this Indian dressing room.
“Similarly, with Mahi bhai, I used to ask him everything from my IPL contract to my wicket-keeping. He’s advised me on everything.
“He’s always told me that when it comes to wicket-keeping, your hands and head is important, the body balance can come into play later, but the key is the hands and head coordination. I worked on what he told me and it has helped me a lot.”
Pant has adjusted well, it appears, when it comes to dealing with England’s cold, England’s swing and England’s pace. Talking about his time in the middle, he added, “Whenever I walk into bat, I go with the mindset of what the team needs from me. In the game against West Indies A, there was a situation wherein I had to be more patient because there were enough overs and therefore I took my time and got India home.
“Also, in the game against England Lions, India A were not in a good position. We had lost four to five wickets and Ajju bhaiya (Ajinkya Rahane) and I were batting and I had to play according to the situation. So, I thought I’m going to take my own time and get set because in red ball cricket that’s what you do – you need to take your own time and play as per the situation.”
India will play the first test from August 1 at Birmingham.