By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-03-09 02:30:58
The exploits of Rishabh Pant in the last two months have made most commentators (including yours truly) to revise their opinion of him. Earlier, he was treated as a bundle of talent and energy but without patience, determination and temperament. Additionally, questions were raised about his wicket keeping abilities. In short, Pant was always considered to be someone who could be great if he wanted but was not serious. In fact, many even grudged the innumerable opportunities that were given to him at the expense of other experienced and budding wicket keepers.
Not anymore. With a few extraordinary innings in Australia and another gem in the ongoing series with England, Pant has suddenly become the hottest player in the Indian squad. To get glowing compliments from Saurav Ganguly and Inzamamul Haq, especially the latter, is not easy. Ganguly said that Pant was destined to be "an all-time great" while Haq called him "a left-handed Sehwag". There were good things being said about him all over the world but Pant has worked hard to shed the tag of an under-achiever.
Ever since he played that exceptional innings in the Sydney Test against Australia to ensure that India did not lose the match, and followed it up with a breathtaking display in the Brisbane Test to win the match for India, all questions about his temperament were buried once and for all. This was a new, determined and focused Pant who had decided that he would not do injustice to his talent. This was a changed Pant who had added perseverance to his loads of talent to play in the manner that was always expected of him.
It has been disclosed by the team support staff that Rishabh Pant has been training the hardest among all players. This determination shows in his performance. Anyone who has the talent and decides to use it in the right manner by training hard to play well at the highest level where he or she has to compete with similarly or even more talented and charged-up players has only one way to go - up. Pant will now scale greater heights and bring glory to the nation.