Not Bazball! Rohit Sharma once told Rishabh Pant India need to play his style of cricket in Tests, calling it ‘RISHBALL’ 

Rishabh Pant was told by Rohit Sharma that the Indian team should bat like him and create their own style of cricket called "Rishball".

Not Bazball! Rohit Sharma once told Rishabh Pant India need to play his style of cricket in Tests, calling it ‘RISHBALL’ 

Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma during the 2021 T20 World Cup (Image via ESPN)

Rishabh Pant’s introduction into international cricket was one for the ages. Debuting against England in 2018, he didn’t have any notable performances in his two Tests. He finally showed his skills in the last Test of the series, where he scored his maiden Test century. His innings saw his aggressive mindset, playing lofted shots despite the tough pitch. 

Since then he has usually been India’s most prolific run getter. Allowing him to bat without any constraints, Pant usually bats at a higher striker-rate, but also bats according to the situation. Many of his match winning innings have shown the aggression and outrageous shots he had in his skillset. 

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With England adapting to Bazball, they have also started scoring at higher rates. It was seen during their tour of Pakistan and recently, and in the Ashes. Seeing the rise of Bazball, Indian captain Rohit Sharma told Pant India need to play his style of cricket, calling it “Rishball”. 

Because England have started playing in a certain fashion, something I am used to. Rohit bhai says we will also play Rishball. He says you play that anyway, but we will get others also to follow you. 
Rishabh Pant to Star Sports

Pant has been sidelined from cricket for over a year due to injuries from a car accident. Injuries to his ankle, knee and back meant he was ruled out for a long time from cricket. He spoke about his accident and road to recovery recently in Star Sports’ ‘Believe: To death and back‘. 

Rishabh Pant reveals he used to cry due to comparisons to MS Dhoni 

When Rishabh Pant broke into the Indian team, he was often compared with Indian legend, MS Dhoni. Despite being 21-22-years old, he was often confused as to why he was compared to the Indian legend, who had played 90 Tests for India. Because of the comparison leading to stress, he used to cry in his room.

MS Dhoni Rishabh Pant
MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant during the IPL (Image via ESPN)

He then recounted the time he once missed a stumping chance. Playing against Australia in an ODI, he missed a stumping and the crowd started taunting him by chanting ‘Dhoni, Dhoni‘. Due to the stress, he said he couldn’t breathe. 

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