Rishabh Pant, reputed for his out-of-the-world shots, has spilled the beans on who he was inspired by to make such moves. Admired sometimes and cursed for otherwise, the southpaw’s ability with the bat has been seen both as a boon and a bane. He has now shed light on his approach behind taking the risk while playing such shots.
Dhoni one of Pant’s inspiration behind outrageous shots
Speaking to JioHotstar, Pant revealed that he had seen many players in the past play such shots. He pointed out that former Indian skipper MS Dhoni played the similar lap shot that he does. However, Pant said that it was up to a player if he wanted to play such shots or not, adding that how you read the game determines how you play it.
“Earlier, quite a few players played these shots. I have seen old videos of Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), and he, too, has played the lap shot. But percentage-wise, I think they used to do it less. The game is changing now—field placements are different, and players are adapting. Some might feel it’s necessary for their game, while others may not. At the end of the day, how you read the game determines how you play it,” Pant said.
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“I used to do gymnastics as a kid. My gymnastics coach always told me that it would come in handy in life. Basu Sir, our Indian team trainer, once told me in 2018-19, ‘Thank you to your gymnastics coach because what he taught you in childhood is still benefiting you today.’ I kept practicing hand springs, and it has played a huge role in my fitness for sure,” said Pant while commenting on his flexibility and acrobatic style.
