‘When Rishabh Pant is set and going, there’s no limit to what he can do’ – Times of India

NEW DELHI: During India’s optional nets session at Cantiague Park, Long Island, on Friday, Rishabh Pant energetically practiced his reverse sweeps under the watchful eyes of batting coach Vikram Rathour and head coach Rahul Dravid, who were keenly assessing his aggressive stroke-play abilities.

Pant’s prowess was on full display during India’s warm-up match against Bangladesh. Playing on a challenging drop-in pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, the left-handed batter scored a fluent 53 runs off 32 balls before retiring out, marking the most significant takeaway from India’s 60-run win in the warm-up game.

Initially struggling after coming in at number three following Sanju Samson’s dismissal, Pant managed just one run off his first six balls. However, he quickly accelerated, hitting three sixes off Shakib Al Hasan, including an audacious reverse-sweep.

Pant showcased his versatility by stepping out against Mahedi Hasan and executing a one-handed swipe off Mahmudullah. He also targeted the inverted ‘V’ region, twice performing no-look flicks over short fine leg off Soumya Sarkar, utilizing his wrists and hands skillfully.

In total, Pant hit four fours and as many sixes, demonstrating his proficiency against both spinners and pacers. This performance has made the Indian think-tank seriously consider including Pant in the playing eleven for the campaign opener against Ireland on June 5.

“As a batter, he’s got that ability to explore angles which a normal batter doesn’t. He gets into different positions and is so strong that he can connect with the ball to hit sixes – one-handed, off-balance, or while falling – you name it, he’s done it. He can bat at number three or four and can even be a finisher – a left-handed batter with so much power.

“When he is set and going, there’s no limit to what he can do; he’s very, very destructive. During the IPL, people were targeting his stumps as everyone knew he would hit shots through point or cover if someone bowls outside the off-stump to him. So, he was using that angle and it was not like, he’s leg-side dominant,” says Biju George, the Delhi Capitals’ fielding coach, in a conversation with IANS on Pant’s propensity to nail unorthodox shots with ease.

This year’s IPL marked Pant’s highly anticipated return to cricket after nearly 15 months away due to multiple injuries sustained in a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, which included a right knee ligament reconstruction surgery performed in Mumbai.

George, a former fielding coach for the India women’s team, closely monitored Pant’s recovery journey and finally met him during the Delhi Capitals’ pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam. George believes that Pant is savoring every moment on the field and is back to his peak form, particularly in terms of fitness.

“If you talk about just before that incident and now, he’s become much better. He’s leaner and fitter now. I first met him when he was around 19 or 20 at the NCA wicketkeepers’ camp. The shape and fitness levels he had at that time, now it can be said he’s at the same level, as also his skillset is supreme.

“His mind is very, very strong and very focused on what he has to do on the field. He has now realised how fragile life can be and is now enjoying every moment of it. At the ground, he is ready to give every bit of himself towards every ball. Plus, he’s so intense now while fielding, keeping and batting every ball.

In addition to scoring 446 runs in 13 games for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, Pant resumed his wicketkeeping duties from the start, demonstrating remarkable fluency with 11 catches and five stumpings. George admitted he was surprised when Pant took over as the wicketkeeper for the Delhi Capitals’ campaign opener in Mullanpur in March.

“I was really surprised as I never thought he would get up and keep wickets during initial phases of the IPL. Probably, the plan on discussing with the trainer was to field at mid-off or mid-on, where there is not much lateral movement.

“Once he would get used to the load, he would start keeping, probably in second phase of the IPL. But I was surprised with the way he came good in keeping right from the first day, and his stumping of Jitesh Sharma at Mullanpur was amazing.

As the season progressed, Pant became increasingly fluent in his skills, ultimately earning a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Although there were reports suggesting he might be named India’s vice-captain for the tournament, this did not materialize. George noted how he observed Pant developing as a leader for the Delhi Capitals during IPL 2024.

“He’s literally one of the best cricketing minds you can come across. He’s always thinking about angles; where to put a fielder and who would be the best person at a particular fielding position. He’s also inspiring the bowlers, like he once said to someone like Ishant Sharma in a game, ‘no paaji, you are good enough’.

“He has got the best out of bowlers and is a captaincy material for sure. He’s always around the players, telling them that they have the abilities to execute as per the demand of the situation, like ‘come on, you can do it’. I call him one-man cheerleading arm,” said George.

George believes Pant will perform well in the T20 World Cup due to his quick adaptability. “In IPL 2024, I felt there were couple of pitches which was very much like American conditions. So, I feel he will adapt well to the conditions in USA for the T20 World Cup, as he’s shown his adaptive qualities previously, while succeeding at the Test level.

“He’s currently at his best now in terms of keeping. During IPL 2024, he would join for fielding drills, throw himself around and he would be enjoying himself there. In the World Cup, I feel he will win at least a few matches for India and really hope he lifts the trophy,” he said.

The clash against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 23 marked Pant’s return to competitive cricket action. The sight of him taking the field and pursuing his greatest love – of playing cricket again – reduced George to tears and left him feeling overwhelmed with emotion in the DC camp.

The long-awaited opportunity to represent India again after the accident might finally come for Pant on June 5 against Ireland, a moment which will generate unforgettable elation among the spectators in the stadium.

One would wish for Pant to continue from where he left off in the warm-up game against Bangladesh last Friday. “I really love this guy and nobody thought it (him returning to elite cricket) was possible, but that day (at Mullanpur), magic panned out. So many people can draw inspiration from him.

“People write you off, but from nowhere, you can come back to be at your best. You sometimes come across individuals who inspire people and when you are in a dark space, you draw light from those people and Rishabh is one of them,” concluded George.

(With IANS inputs)