Eng vs Ind 2018: If First Ball is There to be Hit, Rishabh Pant Will Hit it – KP Bhaskar
Aug 20, 2018 at 2:15 PM
Former Delhi coach KP Bhaskar said if the first ball is there to be hit, Rishabh Pant will hit it. In fact, it is well known the combative southpaw batsman likes to hit the ground running from the get-go.
Rishabh Pant had smashed his second ball to a massive six while making his debut in the red ball version in the ongoing third Test match against England. Thus, Pant has all the confidence in his abilities to clear the ropes with ease.
Rishabh Pant has impressed in his first outing.
KP Bhaskar who is currently coaching India Green said Pant has total belief in his skills and knows what he is doing. In fact, KP Bhaskar has observed Rishabh Pant from close corners while coaching the Delhi Ranji team.
“He is the kind of character who has complete belief in what he is doing. If the first ball is there to be hit, he will hit it,” Bhaskar was quoted as saying by the Times of India on Monday.
“Pant will have to adapt to Tests. However, he has never curbed his natural instincts in Delhi. He has got to be natural. That’s the only way he knows. I’m sure he will succeed.”
Pant has impressed with his pyrotechnics.
Therefore, there is no second thought in Rishabh’s Pant technique. He follows a simple one, see the ball and hit the ball. Thus, the pugnacious batsman knows to bat in one mode – that is the topmost gear.
In fact, Rishabh Pant has been able to borne fruits with his aggressive style of play. The southpaw batsman averages 54 and strikes his runs at an impressive rate in his first-class career.
KP Bhaskar revealed he didn’t try to modify Pant’s technique even if his team had their backs against the wall. However, he advised him to be smart with his shot selection.
“There’s not a lot of coaching to be done with him. He has all the shots in his repertoire. I have just advised that he needs to be more consistent with his shot selection.”
“Even when he goes in at 60/5, I have never told him to take his time and see out a particular spell or session. There is no point in telling that to a stroke player. It doesn’t work out. With more experience and exposure at the highest level, he will learn all that,” he said.
Furthermore, Pant also became the first Indian wicketkeeper to take five catches on Test debut.
Rishabh Pant scored 24 runs off 51 balls and showed he can change his style of play according to a situation. There is nothing like playing your natural game in Test cricket. A batter should always play according to the match situation of his team. A batsman must always put a price on his wicket, especially in the red ball format.