I just played my natural game: Rishabh Pant

Delhi Daredevils batsman Rishabh Pant, who made his maiden IPL half century against Gujarat Lions in his first match as an opener, said he just looked to play his natural game. Promoted to the opening slot, Pant smashed 69 runs off 40 balls with nine fours and two sixes. He batted aggressively and reached his half century off just 25 balls. While chasing 150, Pant and Quinton de Kock (46) put on 115 runs for the opening wicket in 13.3 overs.

“Obviously, it’s a good feeling to contribute something in team’s victory, all the staff members and captain have confidence in me, faith in me and I just justified their confidence and faith,” Pant said after DD beat Gujarat by eight wickets on Wednesday.

“The pitch was good to bat on and I just played my natural game. Zak bhai (Zaheer Khan) had told me that if you get an opportunity to play grab it with both the hands, and I just did that. He told me to not think too much about the game and how to play, don’t take pressure and play your natural game and main thing is that I just played my natural game. Zakbhai has a different fielding placement in every game, because we have plan for every game and try to execute our plan on the field,” Pant added.

He opened the batting for India in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, smashed a record-breaking fifty against Nepal and followed it up with a ton against Namibia to help India qualify for the semi-finals. Incidentally, his century came on the same day when he was bought by Delhi Daredevils for INR 1.9 crores from a base price of Rs 10 lakhs. The 18-year-old also made his first-class debut for Delhi in October 2015, where he made a fifty in the second innings.

Why is Brad Hodge concerned? – Gujarat Lions coach Brad Hodge feels there are areas of concern for his team