Everything else, even the IPL, will fall into place if your objective is to represent your country: Rishabh Pant

On Sunday, March 9, the Indian team, which included Rishabh Pant, won the Champions Trophy 2025. He did not play, though, since KL Rahul was selected by the team management to be the wicketkeeper-batter, and the Karnataka cricketer performed admirably.

Rishabh Pant discussed the significance of wanting to play for the national team in a recent interview. According to the 27-year-old, some cricket players just want to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He counselled aspiring cricket players to focus on representing their nation; everything else, including competing in the IPL, will fall into place.

“Playing for India has been my only desire since I was a young child. I never even considered participating in the IPL. People seem to be more interested in the IPL these days. It’s a fantastic platform, of sure, but if playing for your country is your main objective, I think everything else, including the IPL, will work itself out in due time. Having that larger perspective will lead to success. God has been good to me, and I always thought I would play for India someday. Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar, Rishabh Pant stated, “I am thankful that I was given the chance to make my debut at the age of 18.

Rishabh Pant was also questioned about which cricket player encouraged him to use unconventional shots. The man, who was born in Haridwar, claimed to have seen old recordings of MS Dhoni playing lap shots against fast bowlers. According to Pant, it’s critical that players adjust to the occasional change in the regulations.

“Many players used these shots in the past. Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) has also played the lap shot in old videos that I’ve watched. But I believe they used to do it less frequently in terms of proportion. Field placements have changed, and players are adjusting as the game changes. While some might not think it’s essential for their game, others would. “How you read the game ultimately dictates how you play it,” Pant said.

I primarily attempt to sustain myself with my bottom hand: Rishabh Pant

When he tries to play the big shots, Pant revealed why the bat frequently falls out of his hand. According to the southpaw, he uses his bottom hand to hold the bat quite loosely. He would rather hold on to his top hand. When playing huge shots, he claimed that finding the fence is his top focus and that everything else is secondary.

“I believe that the main reason it occurs is that I grip my underhand extremely softly. Sometimes my bottom hand tries to dominate, so I try to utilise it primarily for support. I concentrate on holding my top hand firmly. However, it’s not always in the best hitting zone when I overreach, particularly when the ball is too short or too wide,” Rishabh Pant said.

Depending on the circumstances of the match, I’m prepared to take the chance even though my shots occasionally only have a 30–40% success rate. That’s how I think. I have to take action to keep things in balance when I take that risk and go too far. I’m simply trying to maximise that delivery, even if it might seem like I’m throwing the bat at times. Finding the limit is my entire concern at that point, regardless of whether my bat slips, is out of my hand, or even strikes my head. That’s how I think,” he continued.