‘Pant’omime of cricketing highs

Not many cricketers have had a fairytale start to their careers like Rishabh Pant. The southpaw has taken off in the Indian domestic circuit in an emphatic fashion, slamming a triple ton that made everyone sing his praise. Days later, the Delhi lad shattered the record of the fastest first-class 100 by an Indian (48 balls) to enter the country’s cricketing folklore.

“It feels really good and I feel proud of this achievement. I haven’t scored a double 100 but scored a triple 100 so early in my career. But this is not the main target. I am working hard on my game and trying to get better every time,” Rishabh said.

Rishabh’s first-class career, which is just a little over a year-old, boasts enviable figures. In 11 innings of seven first-class matches, Rishabh has scored 907 runs at a runrate of 90.70 including four 100s and two 50s. Just five matches into this Ranji season, the Delhi wicket-keeper has amassed 799 runs at a mountainous batting average of 114.14 hitting four centuries in just seven innings.

“I need to capitalise on this start, so I am working hard to make this season a really big one. At the moment, I am focussing only on cricket and thinking of nothing else,” the 19-year-old said.

Often a sweet success story has a darker side and Rishabh’s journey has not been any different. Born in Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Rishabh travelled to Delhi in search of opportunity, but to no avail. He then moved to Rajasthan where a few state association laws did not allow him to go beyond a certain point.

In the process, he switched schools and moved bases as well. Rishabh was forced to come back to Delhi and finally got a chance to play for Sonnet Club. “It’s been a long journey for me because at such a young age, I  had to travel a lot. There were a few more difficulties before I finally made it to Sonnet Club and then the Delhi Ranji team. I have been through more downs than ups. So, the sweet taste of success now feels really good,” he said.

Rishabh added that ultimate glory lies in doing well in Test cricket. “If someone from Sonnet Club makes it to international cricket and gets to play Tests, we don’t call him an international player rather he is referred to as a Test player. So I feel, unless I play Test cricket, I will not be a complete player and there will be something missing in me,” Rishabh maintained.

There have been some iconic wicket-keeping batsmen in international cricket but Australia legend Adam Gilchrist is the one Rishabh admires the most.

“From before I started playing for Delhi, Gilchrist (also a left-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper) has been my idol.  Now, I also look up to Dhoni bhai for his wicket-keeping and Virat bhai for his batting. I need to learn something or the other from everyone,” he said.

The younger of two siblings (he has an elder sister) in a family of four was introduced to cricket by his father who, according to Rishabh, left no stone unturned to help him become what he is today. Surrounded with family members and relatives when at home, Rishabh manages to find some time for himself playing volleyball, football and badminton with friends and watching action movies.

“I always try and find time for myself as it helps me calm my mind which is essential to focus on the game,” Rishabh, who has 18 catches and a stumping to his credit in first class cricket, said.

Rishabh has certain goals set in his life but prefers not reveal them so early in his career. “I can only to reveal my goals once I have achieved them. The world will then automatically know them,” Rishabh signs off.