Rajat Sharma and Rishabh Pant. (Source – Twitter/X)
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is back in the thick of things after recovering from a horrific car accident in December 2022.
The 26-year-old has been in great form upon his return, scoring 446 runs in IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals before joining the Indian team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA. Pant also looked in great touch when he came in to bat in the warm-up game against Bangladesh and India’s first league game against Ireland, scoring 53 (retired out) and 36* respectively.
His performance will be crucial in India’s next match against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 09 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. In a recent appearance on the popular TV show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ hosted by renowned journalist Rajat Sharma, Pant showed confidence that India will defeat Pakistan.
“I can only say this as a player, they (Pakistani cricketers) also toil hard for their country and it becomes interesting when emotions come together from country India and country Pakistan. As you said, fans also set a narrative like a slogan ‘Tel Lagao Dabur Ka, Wicket Girao Babar Ka’, all these things make the match quite interesting.” he said.
“बिल्कुल टेंशन है..इंडिया और पाकिस्तान का मैच हमेशा बड़ा होता है, लेकिन हमे जो 140 करोड़ देशवासियों का सपोर्ट मिलता है वो बहुत कॉन्फिडेंस देता है. मैच इंटरेस्टिंग होने वाला है लेकिन हम ही जीतेंगे..”- ऋषभ पंत@RajatSharmaLive | @RishabhPant17 | #AapKiAdalat | #RajatSharma |… pic.twitter.com/b4tHhvfXiK
— India TV (@indiatvnews) June 8, 2024
The stumper-batter acknowledged the intense rivalry and pressure that comes with an India-Pakistan contest.
“Obviously, there’s tension. India-Pakistan games are very, very big. Because there’s a lot of pressure, but I think the support we get from 140 crore Indian (fans) give us great confidence. We are already preparing,” the Haridwar-born said.
Also read: Another injury scare for Rohit Sharma ahead of IND vs PAK clash
When we go to the ground, we will give 200 percent: Pant
The left-hander brushed aside remarks from former Pakistani cricketer Wahab Riaz, who claimed Pakistan would have wanted Pant to play for the national team if he was born there.
“As a player, I can only that it’s a good thing, but when you play for India and represent your country, you get a proud feeling which you cannot dream about another country,” Pant further added.
The wicketkeeper-batter feels that India’s chances of winning the T20 World Cup are high and with a good team environment the percentage of winning increases.
“Cricket is a game of percentage. If you get more percentage, your chances for victory are better. Looking at the actual environment where the majority of the team was selected already, the chances of a win are more, (so) we can win the World Cup,” Pant said.
Also read: Pakistan declare injured Imad Wasim fit to play against India on Sunday
Addressing concerns about unfamiliar pitches in the USA, Pant believes as cricketers they have the habit of playing in various parts of the World, and the one who uses the conditions well has an upper hand.
“The pitches may be new for us, but since we play cricket round the year, and since we have already played in West India and in America, we do have one advantage. Personally, I think, every player must have the quality to perform in whichever country he goes. It’s only then your quality surfaces,” the 26-year-old added.
Pant promised India’s full effort on the ground in the marquee event, and the Men in Blue will give their 200 percent and play a good brand of cricket.
“I can guarantee one thing for sure. When we go to the ground, we will give our 200 per cent, that is for sure. Rest, if you play good cricket, you’ve more chances to win. Senior players are in good form, specifically because they picked up form in the IPL, but in the World Cup, the pressure is big. World Cup is a platform where if you handle pressures well, I think, chances of winning the trophy are higher,” added Rishabh.