Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 11: Known for his fearless batting and effortless six-hitting ability, Rishabh Pant has established himself as a game-changer in Indian cricket. However, during his early years, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter was forced to refine his defensive skills under the strict guidance of his childhood coach, Tarak Sinha.
Pant, who was part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad, did not get a single game in the tournament, as KL Rahul was preferred over him. Reflecting on his cricketing journey, he shared an amusing anecdote about how his aggressive style often clashed with his coach’s philosophy.
“When I started playing after moving from Roorkee, I played mostly lofted shots—almost 80% of the time. Since I opened the innings, I never really focused on keeping the ball on the ground. My father always emphasized that playing against my age group was not enough; if I wanted to improve, I had to compete with older, more experienced players. That’s why, even at the age of 10 or 11, I participated in senior tournaments,” Pant shared in an interview with JioHotstar.
However, under the mentorship of Tarak Sinha, things changed. “Tarak sir had one strict rule: ‘You must master defense first. If you learn defense, you’ll learn everything else.’ He believed I already knew how to hit big shots, so he insisted I focus on technique. When he was watching, I played proper textbook strokes. But the moment he looked away, I would go back to my natural attacking game,” he recalled with a smile.
Pant also credited his exceptional flexibility and agility to gymnastics, which he practiced as a child. “I used to do gymnastics as a kid, and my coach always told me it would be useful someday. Years later, Basu Sir, our Indian team trainer, told me, ‘Thank your gymnastics coach because what he taught you back then is still benefiting you today.’ The hand springs and exercises I practiced as a child have played a huge role in my fitness,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Pant is set to take on a new challenge in the upcoming IPL 2025 season, where he will captain the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise secured his services for a record-breaking ?27 crore in last year’s mega auction, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.