IND vs ENG: Rahul Dravid Told Me To Play According To The Ball – Rishabh Pant After His Remarkable Ton On Day 1 Of 5th Test

Young India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has opened up on his conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid before Day 1 of the 5th Test against England National Cricket Team.

The 5th and last Test match of the series between Jasprit Bumrah-led India and Ben Stokes-led England commenced on July 1 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Pant came out to bat when India were struggling at 64/3 and he helped India score 338/7 on Day 1. He also had a terrific 222-run partnership with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

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Meanwhile, Pant batted with his natural swashbuckling style and smashed an 89-ball century. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed by Joe Root in the 67th over and he scored 146 runs off 111 balls, including 19 fours and 4 sixes.

During a press conference after Day 1, Pant was asked about the conversation he had with head coach Rahul Dravid before the game. He replied by saying that Dravid had told him to play according to the situation and focus on one ball at a time.

“As a player, every hundred you can make in international cricket is a big achievement and you feel happy about it. It is up to you guys to decide which one was better, I just want to give my best.

“We were practicing well as a team so there was enough time to get ourselves in the mindset of playing a Test. Rahul bhai told me to play according to the ball and focus at one ball at a time, just try to play the situation and not think about what’s going to happen,” said Pant during a press conference after the close of play on Day 1.

My coach Tarak sir told me that you can hit the ball, but work on your defence as well – Rishabh Pant

Young India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant said that he always wants to contribute his 100 per cent to the team and he likes playing against England. Pant also talked about the advice he had received from his childhood coach Tarak Sinha regarding the importance of defence.

“I like the opposition (England) but I do not think about it much. I just look to give my 100 per cent in every match. My focus is on the cricket I play. From childhood, my coach Tarak sir told me that you can hit the ball, but work on your defence as well.

“I keep working on my defence, in Test cricket, defence is important. Every ball you cannot hit, so i keep focusing and if i think I need to defend, I defend and if I think I can hit the ball, I hit the ball,” said Pant during a press conference after the close of play on Day 1.

Rishabh Pant further said that giving respect to the bowlers is important when they are bowling well. He added that he tries to avoid playing in the same manner to disturb the line and length of bowlers.

“Putting the bad ball away is also important, if the bowler is bowling well, then giving him respect is also a good sign. I try to play to the merit of the ball.

“Especially in conditions like England, where you know the bowler is bowling well, then it becomes important to disturb his line and length. I keep trying that I do not play in the same manner so that the bowler gets mentally disturbed. As a player, I look to give my 100 percent, I try to play my percentage, if I feel if it’s there for me to try a different shot or hit the ball, I tend to back it. I have focused on that and it’s helping me, I guess,” he added.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Twitter Goes Crazy As Rishabh Pant Smashes Century In Edgbaston Test

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