"India Cricket Team Focuses Solely On...": Rishabh Pant's Statement Ahead Of Duleep Trophy

05.09.2024 - 15:48 sports.ndtv.com

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant warned against taking Bangladesh lightly in the upcoming two-Test series, and stressed on the need for India to keep improving themselves to stay ahead of the competition.

Bangladesh, who recently blanked Pakistan 2-0 at Rawalpindi, will face Rohit Sharma's side in the first Test at Chennai from September 19 before moving to Kanpur.

India will play a total of 10 Tests within the next five months as the series against Bangladesh will be followed by three Tests against New Zealand at home in October-November before moving to Australia for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka perform well in Asian conditions because they are accustomed to the wickets,” Pant told Jio Cinema. “As the Indian cricket team, we focus solely on our own standards and how we can improve.

Regardless of the opposition, we strive to play with the same intensity and give our 100 percent every single day,” he said.

cricket India Cricket Team Delhi Capitals Rishabh Pant Australia New Zealand India Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan

After the first Test of the Indian vs Bangladesh in Chennai, the action now shifts to Kanpur. India would be aiming for a clean sweep in the two-match series at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The venue is hosting its first international cricket match after 2021. However, according to a report in The Indian Express, the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has deemed one of the stands in the stadium as dangerous. According to the report, the government officials has given the verdict that the structure could collapse if the stand is up to full capacity.

"Not Good For Indian Cricket": BCCI Slammed For Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's "Special Treatment"

Team India did win the first Test against Bangladesh by Chepauk comfortably, securing a 280-run triumph, but the result doesn't hide away issues that still remain. Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja were among the top performers in the series opener but the performance of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma left much to desire. Neither Virat nor Rohit succeeded in registering a big score in the two innings, prompting suggestions that they shouldn't have missed the Duleep Trophy.

"We Were All Worried In Pakistan": Wasim Akram Doffs Hat To Rishabh Pant

Comeback man Rishabh Pant marked his return to Test cricket in style, scoring a century in the second innings of the series opener against Bangladesh. Pant's heroic turn left many emotional, as fans, pundits and his peers recalled the horrific car crash he was a part of in December 2022. Around 600 days from that accident, Pant is seemingly back to his best, especially in red-ball cricket. As fans and former cricketers recalled the wicket-keeper batter's journey, even Pakistan great Wasim Akram shared an emotional note.

"Great Relationship Outside The Field": Rishabh Pant On Bond With This India Star

India star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant revealed he felt nervous during his comeback Test ton in Chennai in the first match against Bangladesh on Sunday. However, Pant pressed that the fire inside him allowed him to score the record-equalling sixth Test century. Pant's return to Test cricket has been nothing short of spectacular following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. He made his much-anticipated comeback in Chennai. His 109-run innings in the second innings was filled with attacking strokes, coupled with well-timed defense, taking the Bangladesh bowlers by surprise.

India's Focus Must Be On Ensuring Fitness Of Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant: Ian Chappell

Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell said on Sunday that Rohit Sharma-led Team India must focus on ensuring the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant for their upcoming matches. Rohit Sharma-led India clinched a massive 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Currently, India leads the WTC standings . Their upcoming WTC series include New Zealand (three Tests at home), and Australia (five Tests away). In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell said that India's main goal should be to get more players into form.

"India's Ultimate Match-Winner": Ex-Cricketers Shower Praise On Rishabh Pant After Bangladesh Ton

Former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Michael Vaughan lavished praise on Rishabh Pant for his splendid outing in the second inning of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. After being involved in a life-threatening accident in December 2022, Pant's return to Test format for India has begun on a fairytale note. After Pant's promising knock ended on 39 in the first inning, he dug deep and raised his bat to celebrate a memorable century in Chennai in the opening Test against Bangladesh.