The wk-batter Rishabh Pant has revealed game-changing advice from Ravi Shastri which guided him to play with freedom and express his natural flair on the field.
Pant has been struggling with playing aggressive shots against off-spinners and frequently losing his wickets in the process. On that occasion, Shastri came up with a strategy that helped the wicketkeeper batter.
Pant has played 33 tests so far and amassed 2271 runs, including an iconic knock for India of unbeaten 89 runs against Australia at Gabba in 2021.
In a recent interview, Pant opened up about the special bond he shared with Ravi Shastri during his tenure as India’s head coach.
“It was an amazing relationship. I had a great understanding with Ravi Shastri as he gave me the freedom I wanted. I don’t like it when someone tells me not to do a specific thing; instead, I prefer someone giving me a better option. I would rather switch to a better option than avoid anything,” said Pant.
Pant displayed his stunning display in the Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India A and India B where he smashed fifty in just 34 balls and some serious mindblowing catches which earned him a place in the India squad for the 1st Bangladesh test.
“There was a time when I was getting out to off-spinners while playing shots against them. Ravi bhai was thinking about what he should tell me, then he came to me and told me that we have to find a way to tackle off-spinner. He told me that he had found a way and said, “You should play reverse-sweep against an off-spinner and this was about Test cricket,” he added.
The left-hander moved from 43 to 49 with an overhead six off Kuldeep Yadav and a ball later, he brought up the mini milestone with a single. He was an impressive batter for India B in the second innings with 61 innings off 47 balls laced with 9 fours and 2 sixes.
The first match of the home test series against Bangladesh will be played between September 19 and 23 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
