Rishabh Pant will lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup against Jammu & Kashmir starting Thursday. The 28-year-old is currently focused on domestic cricket after his exclusion from white-ball teams. "Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best," Pant said, keeping his approach simple and positive.
His teammates had dispersed. So had the net bowlers. More than 30 minutes after he had begun batting at the farthest net, Rishabh Pant, set to lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup against Jammu & Kashmir from Thursday, seemed oblivious to the surroundings at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium. Delivering gentle throwdowns were batting coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla and the team manager as Pant soaked in the sweet sound of bat striking the ball and uncoiled a mix of defensive and attacking strokes.
If the 28-year-old conveyed the impression of having no other distractions at that moment, it is because he is confined to this one format for the time being. He isn't in India's ODI and T20I teams, which means that his next international assignment could be some time away -- India plays two Tests against New Zealand in the second half of November. Pant, true to his uncluttered approach with the bat, isn't scratching his head over the imponderables.
"For me, it's very simple. Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best. That's how I have played cricket, and I keep it very simple. So whatever opportunity I get, I try to make the best out of it," Pant said at the pre-match interaction on Wednesday.
The exclusion from the white-ball setup could be construed as a setback. However, Pant, having returned to the game from a life-threatening car accident in 2022, knows what it takes to conquer stern challenges.
"Yes, there will be ups and downs. You know, when you have to have an international career for 15-20 years, you have to go through all these things. So it's that kind of mindset," he observed.
As Rest of India skipper, Pant feels obliged to share his experience with younger teammates. He may have been stripped of the vice-captaincy of the Test team a few months ago, but as is evident from his wisecracks often heard on the stump mic, his garrulous nature lends itself to wide-ranging discussions on the game and beyond.
"Whenever you come back and play domestic cricket once in a while, it's always good to share that experience with everyone," Pant stated.
"When a youngster comes, you want to share your experience, what you have gained over the period of time. And it's lovely to see. I always want to learn from people around me. It's good to have interactions with people, have lots of fun and enjoyment and keep it as a family," he added.