I just want to win every game: Rishabh Pant

The hero of historic Brisbane Test and one who almost changed the entire complexion of the Test match in Sydney, Rishabh Pant has said that he just wants to win every game.

Speaking to Sports Today, Pant said that the team management’s idea was to look to cash in on loose balls and score runs. 

"The team management's plan from the beginning of the match was 'let's look to win the match'. Even my thinking has always been to win. I just want to win every game, draw is always the secondary option," Pant said.

In the duel against Nathan Lyon in the final innings of the decider, Pant in his risky approach to counter-attack was beaten fair few times by balls that turned sharply away from him. 

In one of the most iconic moments in the game, Pant stepped down and hit Lyon for a huge six over long-on right after a ball turned square on the fifth-day pitch.

"At that time I thought 'one ball turned so much and Lyon is such an experienced bowler so he will try to turn one away from the stumps’. I knew he was going to try and spin one away from the stumps so I was ready to step out and hit him if he bowls a tossed up delivery.” Pant reflected back on the moment.

And it did unfold in the very next delivery. In a perfect moment of game reading, Pant was in control of the entire Test match.

"Otherwise I hadn't planned that I was going to step out and look to hit a big shot in any case. But if the ball lands in my area then I think it has to be hit out of the ground," Pant said.

Pant scored a total of 274 runs from three Test matches in the tour Down Under and was hailed for his exceptional mentality in adverse conditions that he was put in. Pant will be seen donning the whites for India in the England home series where the team is scheduled to play four matches between 5 February to 8 March.

 

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