Tried to disturb bowlers mentally, says Pant
His stunning 146 was the cornerstone of India’s remarkable recovery on the opening day of the rescheduled fifth Test against England and flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant said the secret of his heroics was to “disturb the bowlers mentally”.
“In English conditions if a bowler pitches it up, it’s important to disturb his rhythm, that’s what I feel,” the 24-year-old Pant said during the media interaction after the end of day one’s play.
Be it England pace spearhead James Anderson, who rocked India early on with his 3/52, or skipper Ben Stokes who offered a barrage of shortpitched stuff, Pant looked ridiculously at ease during his blitzkrieg.
“I don’t try to play unidimensional, rather I try out various shots -- sometimes I step out, or play on the backfoot. I keep on using the crease well. It’s about disturbing the bowler mentally and things happen. It’s not pre-planned. I just focus on what the bowler is trying to do.”
Pant said it’s about showing respect to good deliveries and he has paid equal attention to his defensive aspect of the game.
“You can’t be defensive or attacking with each ball. I try to focus on each ball and play according to its merit. It’s a good sign to show respect to a good ball. I’m not focusing much on the defence rather I’m focused on my game.
“I might play some different shots sometimes but it’s about giving your 100 per cent. If a ball is there to be hit, I go for it. I just try to back it over a period of time and that’s actually helping me.” He shared a record 222-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja after India stared down the barrel in the post-lunch session by losing five wickets inside 28 overs.
The duo eventually took the team past the 300-run mark with the sixth wicket stand which was the highest for an Indian team in England.
Up 2-1 in the series, India had a troubled build-up as its skipper Rohit Sharma had to pull out after being tested for COVID-19. England, on the other hand, was coming on the back of a 3-0 whitewash on reigning world Test champion New Zealand. But Pant said his side had enough time to prepare for the rescheduled match. “We practised well as a team, we also had a practice match. We had enough time to get into the mindset of playing the Test,” he concluded.