“Don't think too much, just hit”- Samson reveals Pant’s success formula

Samson, who made 61 off 31 balls, during an interview with Dravid on iplt20.com, gave an insight into Pant's batting philosophy, which is not too dissimilar to another famous Delhite Virender Sehwag.  

"I started the innings really well. After hitting two sixes [in an over], I thought about taking a single," Samson told Dravid." "He came to me and told me: 'Bhaiyya, zyaadasochomat, basmaarteraho (brother, don't think too much, just keep hitting)'. I think that really helped me to go on. I really enjoyed batting with him." 

Pant, too, chipped in with his thoughts about the partnership with Samson and said, "I told Sanju bhai, if the ball is there to hit, just hit it. Don't think about the next ball. If the next ball is there to hit, then again hit the ball."

Coming to bat after the dismissal of captain Karun Nair, Pant set up Delhi's run chase with an explosive stand with Samson.  And though, he was unlucky to be dismissed just three runs short of his what could have been his maiden IPL ton he earned plaudits from all quarters for his swashbuckling innings.

When Dravid asked them if they targeted any particular bowlers, Pant said, "We were not thinking about the next ball. Like I told you, sir, if we get a bad ball… we planned everything like that. I told Sanju bhai [to keep hitting the balls that were there to be hit] - was planning a few things at the start - but when he started getting in the middle, he told me 'I will go for everything.'"

Dravid, too, praised Pant and said that one of the most impressive aspects of his innings was the way he approached the team’s cause and didn't think about his personal achievement. 

“What was really impressive for me as well was Rishabh batting on 97 and not thinking about his 100 at that stage and still going for his shots,” said Dravid. “He was playing his shots and not worrying about the 100, and looking to get the team home. Incredible innings from the two boys and truly well-deserved.”

After the praise, Dravid had a word of advice for the duo, as he smiled and said,“But I’m a hard taskmaster so I hope you guys will finish the job and stay not out next time.”

Pant, came into the IPL on the back of a solid domestic season and is happy that he could carry on that form. 

“Obviously when you do well in the domestic season, carrying the form into IPL good for me. We have won two matches in a row, but we are thinking that we’ll take it one match at a time only."

You can watch the conversation here: