Rishabh Pant maintains a simple mantra after losing Test vice-captaincy

Rishabh Pant has lost his Test vice-captaincy and is no longer a regular in India’s ODI squad, but the batsman says he is not looking too far ahead. For him, the focus is on making the most of the next opportunity.

Pant is in Srinagar for the Irani Cup where he will introduce the rest of India. It is his first red-ball game since India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka last month and comes with the New Zealand Test series on the horizon.

“It’s very simple for me. Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best,” Pant said ahead of the Irani Cup. “That’s how I’ve played cricket and I keep it very simple. So whatever opportunity I get, I try to make the best of it. For me, every match is an opportunity. I want to give my best and I keep it very simple.”

Pant is now in one format for India. KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs Pant also lost their Test vice-captain. He was not part of the Indian squad for the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies.

But Pant said he has learned to deal with the ups and downs of international cricket.

“I try to give my best every time I step on the pitch. And that’s been key for me for a while,” he said. “Yes, there will be ups and downs. When you want to have an international career of 15-20 years, you have to go through all these things. So it’s that mindset.”

Pant’s approach to the game changed during his long recovery from a car accident in December 2022. He missed nearly 18 months of cricket while recovering from multiple injuries.

“You see, when you’ve been through so much in your life, you understand, you know, the key is to keep it simple,” Pant said.

“Obviously when you play for your country, hard work is not optional. You have to work hard, you have to be mentally strong and you have to keep learning and keep improving. And that’s the mindset you want to keep.”

The three-week break before the Irani Cup also gave Pant time to rest and recover. He said he does not worry about his selection, form or fitness and prefers to focus on the game ahead.

“Especially when you’re going through a long rehab, it’s always frustrating. But developing that mindset (not thinking) is obviously challenging, but at the same time you know if you’re playing international cricket you have to go through challenges,” he said.

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