‘Rohit Sharma Came And Told Rishabh Pant…Tujhe Pata Nahi Hai Tune Kya Kiya Hai Aaj’: R Sridhar Shares An Incident

Rishabh Pant lost his place in the playing XI inT20is after disappointing performances in 2020 and 2021 in the 20-over format. The 24-year-old is also considered India’s second-choice wicket keeper after Wriddhiman Saha ahead of the 2020-21 Test series in Australia. However, Saha’s injury gave Pant a chance to prove himself. After that, he became one of the heroes in India’s historic victory in Australia.

Pant was awarded player of the match at the Gabba for his unbroken 89 runs off 138 balls, which included nine fours and one six. The test win gave a boost to his international career and since then he has established himself as a key member across all three formats.

Tujhe Pata Nahi Hai Tune Kya Kiya Hai Aaj – Rohit Sharma Told Rishabh Pant

Former India fielding coach R Sridhar said that Pant was unperturbed by his performance in Australia. He explained how Rohit Sharma told the youngster about what he had done with the willow.

“We were in the team room and Rohit (Sharma) came and he told Rishabh…tujhe pata nahi hai tune kya kiya hai aaj (you don’t know what you have done). And Rishabh was just normal, as if he had scored a 90-odd in a hot weather tournament in Delhi,” Sridhar told cricket.com.

“It’s good that he has not set the world on fire in white ball cricket, which means there is plenty to come. I can assure you that there is some serious big stuff on the way. We saw what he did in Manchester. If that’s any indication, wear your seat belts. Don’t worry about what has happened in the past. The future is bright,” he added.

The young keeper-batsman has led Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the last two seasons. After KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury, he got a chance to lead Team India in the T20Is against South Africa at home.

While Pant’s leadership has produced mixed results, Sridhar is confident that the youngster will learn and improve, giving MS Dhoni’s example. He stated that  Pant’s growth as an IPL leader is already visible.

“I think no one is born with all the skills. Any skill that any person possesses is born out of the situation that he has been in and learned. MS grew up playing with adults and elderly kids. That is where he picked up all his cricketing acumen,” Sridhar said.

“Rishabh has grown up in a similar kind of environment. He grew up playing with big achievers. That is where he picks his cricket smartness from. He is going to be a leader in the future. Once he starts separating his leadership from his batsmanship, then that is entertainment confirmed.”

Pant struggled with the bat during his captaincy and he failed to score a single half-century in IPL 2022. In the five-match home series against South Africa, he scored just 58 runs at a strike rate of 105.45.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant Will Have To Miss Out – Aakash Chopra On Team India’s Playing XI vs Australia For 3rd T20I Series Decider