Srinagar, Sep 30: For youngsters dreaming of making a career in professional cricket, Rishabh Pant’s message is simple, keep playing, keep learning and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
Speaking ahead of the Irani Cup in Srinagar on Wednesday during pre-match presser, the India wicketkeeper-batter said regular exposure to competitive cricket helps a player understand his game better, while the right guidance can make a significant difference in the journey towards the professional level.
“The more cricket you play, you get a sense of how you want to play the game,” Pant said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash between Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir and Rest of India.
Pant, who is leading Rest of India in the five-day fixture, was responding to a question on J&K’s remarkable rise in domestic cricket and the growing opportunities for players from the region.
His advice was not built around complicated formulas. Instead, Pant repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping the approach simple and using every opportunity to improve.
“For me, it is very simple. Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best. That is how I play. I keep it very simple. Whatever opportunity I get, I try to get better,” he said.
For young cricketers trying to establish themselves, Pant said there is no substitute for playing the game regularly and learning from each experience.
His own approach, he said, has been to focus on what is immediately in front of him rather than becoming distracted by what may or may not happen in the future.
He also underlined the importance of having the right people around a player.
“Have the right guidance, have the right people to guide you and just keep giving your best each and every time you take on the field,” Pant said.
Pant said he enjoys sharing his experience with younger players whenever he returns to domestic cricket.
“Whenever you come back and start playing domestic cricket once in a while, it’s always good to share that experience with everyone,” he said.
“A lot of people come and you want to share your experience, what you have gained over the period of time.”
His message ultimately centred on the basics that have underpinned his own approach work hard, stay open to learning, accept the ups and downs and keep improving.
For aspiring cricketers watching the Irani Cup from the stands or following it from across J&K, the message from one of India’s established players was perhaps as straightforward as his own philosophy, play more, learn more and make every opportunity count.
