Mumbai: India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, believes that while the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a great platform, young cricketers should prioritize playing for the country over franchise cricket.
“Since childhood, I had only one dream—to play for India. I never even thought about the IPL. If your goal is to play for your country, everything else—including the IPL—will eventually fall into place,” Pant told JioHotstar.
Pant, who made his international debut in 2017, was part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad, though he did not get a game. Now 27 years old, he remains one of India’s most aggressive batsmen.
On His Iconic One-Handed Shots
Pant also spoke about his one-handed sixes, explaining that they often happen due to his light bottom-hand grip.
“I mainly use my bottom hand for support, but when I overreach for wide or short balls, I need to adjust my balance. Sometimes, the shot may only have a 30-40% success rate, but I take that risk based on the match situation,” he said.
Gymnastics & Fitness Impact
Pant credited his early gymnastics training for improving his fitness and agility.
“I used to do gymnastics as a kid, and my coach always said it would help me later. Our Indian team trainer, Basu Sir, once told me that my gymnastics background has contributed to my athleticism today,” he added.
