RISHABH PANT ON A DREAM RUN

After his stellar performance in the recent Test series against Australia, Rishabh Pant was compared to Adam Gilchrist and M.S. Dhoni for his batting prowess, wicketkeeping skills and on-field temperament. In conversation with Rishita Roy Chowdhury, the 2

How special was the recent Test series win against Australia for you? What were your expectations from the series?

A. When we started the series, we had, as a team, the goal of winning the match we had before us. We decided that no matter which situation presented itself, we’ll just try to win every single game. So the team was fully motivated. That’s the main thing: the whole team wanted to win the ongoing match. Our collective mindset was the same, we wanted to win the series and create history. I am glad we achieved that.

Q. Tests against Australia have long been regarded as one of the most challenging and prestigious platforms in the game. This was your first Australia series, and yet you made a record there by taking 20 catches in four games and scoring 159 not out in the Sydney Test. How did that feel?

A. It was an amazing feeling. I didn’t think about making or breaking records. It just happened because of my frame of mind, which was only directed towards contributing to the team’s victory no matter what. Be it my wicketkeeping or batting, my main focus was to deliver what the team expected from me. That’s the only thing I was trying to do over there. There are no individual goals in the game of cricket. The plan was just to play as a team and we worked really hard. Everyone was trying to give their 100%.

Q. When did you decide to take up cricket professionally?

A. My father always wanted me to become a cricketer. He