If I start thinking that I have to fill MS Dhoni’s shoes, it will get very difficult for me, says Rishabh Pant

09/07/2019

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Rishabh Pant has stated that he doesn't want to compare himself with his 'mentor' MS Dhoni and wants to learn as much as he could from the former Indian skipper. The wicket-keeper has also added that he has worked hard and earned his lace in the Indian cricket team and didn't get it as a gift.

One of the perils of filling a legendary sportsman's shoes is that every time you make a mistake, you are going to be judged by the standard set by someone else. Pant would certainly not forget that night in Mohali when people started chanting "Dhoni, Dhoni" when he missed a stumping chance behind the stumps against Australia and India subsequently went on to lose the game. Does it affect him? Well, certainly, as the Delhi southpaw talked about the hurt of being judged every time.

“I do think about the comparison with Dhoni sometimes, but it’s too difficult. If I am learning from him, I can’t possibly think that I can be in his league overnight. I am just trying to learn from him. I consider him my mentor. He has taught me so many things — be it how to work on my batting or mindset before I go to bat, and most importantly, keeping calm in pressure situations," Pant told Bombay Times.

“At 21, if I start thinking that I have to fill Dhoni’s shoes, it will get very difficult for me. I just try to keep it simple. I want to play the game to the best of my ability and learn from everyone around me, especially my seniors."

After impressing on the age-group circuit, Pant had a massive 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season, where he racked up runs for fun, before forcing his way into the Indian squad, which saw him making his T20I debut against England in early 2017 in Bengaluru. Although his carelessness is still a concern as he often tends to play one shot too many, it is also true that he is a force of nature - not that easy to contain in a cocoon.

“It’s good for a player to get an early break. Besides, I am not getting anything for free. I have worked hard and earned my place in the Indian cricket team. Nobody has gifted that to me. Koi nahi bolta ke, ‘Bhai team mein aaja’. Aisa nahi hota hai. If you don’t perform well, you won’t be selected. It’s as simple as that. Everyone has to justify their spot in the team.”

One of the most memorable trips that Pant has had as a cricketer had to be his tour of Australia. He was scoring runs with ease and was India's second-highest run-scorer in the series, but his banter with Tim Paine took the cake. The babysitter comment that Paine came up with went up viral on the Internet before Paine's wife Bob Paine clicked a photo with Pant and her kids during a team dinner to make the sledging cool.

“I was laughing at it. I have no clue how he thought of calling me that. It was fun. When I met his family, his mother wanted a photo with me. His wife was standing around with their two kids. She asked me if she could also take a picture with me.

"I actually held one of the kids for the photograph, saying I can be their babysitter. She posted it on Instagram and it went viral. It was a friendly banter. Also, whatever happens on the field stays on the field. I don’t take it home or hold grudges. I love the banter actually. I won’t ever start anything (sledging) first, but if someone pushes my limit, I have to give it back. I can’t just listen to anyone and keep quiet.”