“Bhaiya, I want to be the best keeper-batsman in the world” – Suresh Raina recalls Rishabh Pant’s words

“Bhaiya, I want to be the best keeper-batsman in the world” – Suresh Raina recalls Rishabh Pant’s words
Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was the hero for India in the tour of Australia as his heroics helped his side seal a famous series win. The 23-year-old was initially not a part of the playing XI during the first Test in Adelaide that India lost. However, he was drafted into the XI from the second Test onwards and the wicket-keeper batsman impressed with his fearless hitting. His lowest score in an innings throughout the series was 23.

His most important performance came in the fourth and final Test where he scored a commanding 89* to guide India to an improbable chase for the series win. He was named the Man of the Match for his knock as well. Since then, plaudits and messages of appreciation have continued to pour in for Pant with pundits calling for him to be recalled to the limited-overs setup as well.

‘He wanted a break from the media and everything’ – Raina

Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina spoke to Cricbuzz about how he spent time with Rishabh Pant during the lockdown. Raina recalled how Pant said, “Bhaiya, I want to be the best wicket-keeper batsman in the world.”

Raina then spoke about Pant’s mindset during the lockdown saying, “I really didn’t have much to do with it. He is a young cricketer bursting with talent who in my view is set to become a great player for India. Back in June he’d just come off a not so good time with the bat. There was a lot of talk about him. So, he just wanted a break from it all, from the media and from everything. All he wanted me to do was listen. He wasn’t looking for me to give anything, forget a solution.”

Raina then recalled the time they spent together and said, “When we weren’t at training, he would be home all day, playing with my kids, chatting with the wife. We watched a lot of comedies on Netflix, ate a lot of good food, whatever he felt like eating, and just chatted away. We would go for drives around the city, either in his yellow car or at times in mine. We would listen to the music that we both enjoy. It was all so positive and even during those drives, he would open up a lot, and all I did was let him talk.”

Rishabh Pant will next be seen in action in India’s home series against England which begins on February 5.

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