'I just want to learn from each and every person, I talk to them a lot' - Rishabh Pant reveals his go-to persons in Indian team

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has revealed his go-tos in the Indian team. The southpaw, alongside the 24-man squad in the UK, is currently gearing up for the upcoming five-Test series against hosts England.

In a recent interaction with BCCI.tv, Pant opened up on who he turns to when in need of any kind of advice related to his game. He revealed that he interacts with Rohit Sharma “a lot” about what he should and should not do, while his skipper Virat Kohli helps him with the technical intricacies of batting.

“All the seniors and coaching staff, like, I talk to Rohit bhai a lot. Talking about the game, previous matches, what we could have done, what we could not have done. In the future, if a similar situation happens, what are the possible outcomes, what more can we add). Virat bhaiya is there to help me out with the technical stuff, especially about playing in England, standing a bit forward or back,” Pant said.

I speak a lot to Ravi Shastri: Rishabh Pant

Pant further revealed he speaks to Ravi Shastri, India’s head coach, given the latter’s experience of having played cricket in every part of the world and different conditions. The youngster also stated that he turns to teammate and offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin to understand his thought while bowling.

“Ravi bhai (head coach Ravi Shastri) is also there, I speak to him a lot because he has played enough cricket all over the world, he has the idea. Ash bhai (Ravichandran Ashwin), he always has an idea about what the batsman could do. So, when he bowls, as a batsman I can ask him what he’s thinking. So, as a player, I just want to learn from each and every person,” Rishabh Pant added.

Pant is a sure starter in India’s XI against England in the series-opener in Nottingham, which, incidentally, is also the venue where the keeper made his Test debut in 2018. Opening up on the challenges for batters in England, he said that the bowlers need to be respected more in England owing the pace and swing-conducive conditions.

When you come to England, you know the ball is going to swing a lot, so yes, I have been standing outside the crease a little bit, using the crease in and out. Especially in these kind of conditions, you have to respect the bowler slightly more than what you do in other places. That’s what I am looking forward to do during the Test matches. As a ‘keeper, you see the ball and react to it.