Exclusive: If you're true in your heart, there's nothing to be scared of, says Rishabh Pant

28.08.2022 - 05:59 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rishabh Pant speaks to TOI about making clearer decisions, being calmer, embracing his high-risk game and aspirationsDUBAI: Scan the videos the BCCI social media handle puts out on Rishabh Pant's training and you will only find balls flying in the air off his bat.

That his game is built around a strong defensive technique is lost in the anonymity of the regular training sessions. "I have got used to the fact that there will be harsh criticism even if I get a hundred in one innings and get out cheaply in the next one," Pant told TOI with a sheepish smile as he got ready for the Asia Cup.

He is aware that his reputation of being a more-brash-than-carefree cricketer precedes him wherever he goes. Nobody in Indian cricket has had to endure as much criticism as he has done.

Every praise in the surfeit of analysis comes with a disclaimer how he needs to reign himself in. Yet, he has emerged as India's most consistent batter in at least two formats.

cricket shooting Asia Cup India

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Rishabh Pant has been chosen as one of the two wicketkeepers in India's 15-member squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, along with Dinesh Karthik. However, the young left-hand batter's T20 form has not been great of late. In the recently concluded Asia Cup, his scores read 14, 17 and 20*. He has a career strike-rate of 126.21 and average of 23.94 in 58 T20Is. His below-par recent T20 form has led many experts to back Dinesh Karthik in the XI. Former Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Butt had an interesting take on Pant's regular failures in T20Is.

Arshdeep told me he was not bothered about the trolls; Bhuvneshwar should have bowled the 20th over vs Pak & SL in Asia Cup, says coach Jaswant Rai

Pakistan. It was a match that India went on to lose. If India had won that game chances are Arshdeep would not have had to face the ugly hate that he eventually did. What was heartening to see was the immense support that Arshdeep received from the cricketing fraternity overall. The selectors and team management have also continued to back him and he has been picked in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup as well. TimesofIndia.com spoke to Arshdeep's childhood coach who said that Arshdeep was at no point bothered about or affected by the trolling on social media. "Arshdeep is a brave guy and doesn't care about being trolled. He dropped a catch but still grabbed the opportunity with both hands when his captain asked him to bowl the last over," Jaswant Rai, Arshdeep's childhood coach told TimesofIndia.com. Arshdeep in fact was given the 20th over to bowl in both the Super 4 matches that India lost (vs Pakistan and vs Sri Lanka). In both matches Arshdeep was asked to defend 7 runs.

'Why Shami not there?': Madan Lal on Indian pacer's snub from T20 World Cup 15-man squad

Experienced Indian pacer Shami failed to make the cut to the team but he will travel to Australia as a standby. After last year's T20 World Cup, he was out of India's T20I scheme. However, after the team's poor show in Asia Cup 2022, he has been recalled to the team for South Africa and Australia T20I series.

Arshdeep told me he was not bothered about the trolls; Bhuvneshwar should have bowled the 20th over vs Pak & SL in Asia Cup, says coach Balwant Rai

"Dreams Do Come True": Dinesh Karthik's First Reaction After Being Named in India's T20 World Cup Squad

There was little surprise in store in India's squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup 15-member squad which was announced om Monday. The squad bore a striking resemblance to the one that played in the recently-concluded Asia Cup, barring the exception of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel - both of whom made a return to the squad after recuperating from injuries. The squad announcement was yet another validation of Dinesh Karthik's resurgence in recent times as he was named as one of the two wicketkeepers along with Rishabh Pant. The veteran wicketkeeper had a stellar IPL and has emerged as a great finisher in the T20 format.

"Can Be Our Trump Card": Harbhajan Singh Backs Young Pacer For T20 World Cup Berth

The Asia Cup 2022 ended on Sunday with Sri Lanka getting crowned as champions. The tournament ended on a bitter-sweet note for Team India as they failed to make it into the final but the fans also saw the much-awaited 71st century from star-batter Virat Kohli. The Rohit Sharma-led side will now be gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. As the squad for the prestigious event will be announced in some time, experts and fans have been expressing their opinions regarding the players who should make the cut. Similarly, former spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed pacer Umran Malik and stated that he can be India's "trump card" on Australian pitches.