India’s star wicketkeeper and explosive batter Rishabh Pant revealed the reason behind him taking the wicketkeeping role in cricket and said he was inspired by his father. After MS Dhoni announced his retirement the search for a dependable keeper with decent batting skills was on and the hunt ended with Pant. Rishabh has now been a regular member of the Indian side for quite a few years. He also is a key player in all three formats.
With comparisons being often made with Dhoni, Pant’s captaincy skills got tested as he led the Delhi Capitals to a decent run this season despite Covid hitting the DC’s camp.
“I have no idea if my wicketkeeping has got better or not, I am just trying to give my 100 percent every single day. I was always a wicketkeeper-batter. As a kid, I started doing wicketkeeping because my father was a wicketkeeper too. That’s how it all started out,”
HE SAID ON THE SG PODCAST
Agility, Discipline and working on your technique: the three pillars of becoming a good keeper
Pant over the years has achieved many laurels with the Indian team. One of the best being the Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory against Australia, where he played an unbeaten knock of 89*(138) in the second innings of the Gabba Test, thereby leading the team towards a series win.
“You need to keep yourself agile if you want to be a good wicket keeper. If you are agile enough, it will help you. Second thing is to watch the ball till the end. Sometimes what happens is that we know that the ball is coming, so we tend to relax, but you should be watching it till you catch it. Lastly, be disciplined and work on the technique,”
HE ADDED WHILE SHARING TIPS FOR BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL WICKETKEEPER.
It has been a packed season for Pant, who had been playing for the Indian team continuously before the IPL started. Talking about keeping the mind fresh amid such a tight schedule, he said
“When you play throughout the year, you want to refresh your mind, especially with the kind of pressure with which we play constantly. If you can’t refresh your mind, you won’t be able to give your 100 percent. As cricketers, we need to keep working on our minds and keep refreshing.”
The 24-year-old will now be seen in the forthcoming five-match T20I home series against South Africa starting June 9 (Thursday) and will be taking the gloves apart from being skipper KL Rahul’s deputy.
