Rishabh Pant thinks expressing yourself is key on the field. He said that having some banter with opponents is a normal thing. It comes in the heat of the moment, according to the Indian wicketkeeper-batter. Verbal exchanges with the other team are natural, Pant believes. Players should be able to share words in the intensity of the game.
The discussion between India’s Shubman Gill and England’s Jonny Bairstow during the just finished Dharamsala Test has gone viral. While Pant recognizes that the one-on-one may appear inappropriate on the surface, he feels that sharing banter relieves strain on the players.
On the Club Prairie Fire podcast, Rishabh Pant discussed stump mic banter:
“I think it adds an amazing dynamic to the game. We aren’t just playing cricket out there, we are fighting to win the match. In those moments, something has to come out. We curb our instincts sometimes because of the mic, but something has to come out and let it free.”
Apart from Bairstow, Gill also spoke briefly with James Anderon during the Dharamsala Test. While the experienced bowler dominated the Indian batsman, Gill had already struck his fourth Test century, securing a significant victory for his team.
Rishabh Pant’s view of Bazball
There has been a lot of buzz about the kind of cricket that England plays in Tests, dubbed as ‘Bazball’. However, Rishabh Pant says the Indian squad is always eager to focus on their strengths rather than the opposition.
Here’s his thoughts on Bazball:
“We aren’t thinking about it too much because as a team you have to find your own strengths. Yes you have to take lessons sometimes but you have to focus on giving your best shot than focus on the other team.”
Rishabh Pant
Triumphant India sealed a 4-1 Test series victory with an emphatic innings and 64 runs triumph in Dharamsala. Concurrently, Rishabh Pant prepares to resume competitive cricket for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 season on March 23.