India A tour to England has been very helpful in getting used to such conditions, believes Rishabh Pant

India A tour to England has been very helpful in getting used to such conditions, believes Rishabh Pant

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Rishabh Pant has credited his India ā€˜Aā€™ stint in England this summer for his impressive showing on the Test debut, saying it helped him cope with the pace and bounce at Trent Bridge. The Delhi wicket-keeper made a confident start to his Test career, scoring an attacking 24 and taking 7 catches.

India, who needed solidity and gumption in batting after the first two Tests against England in the ongoing tour, had to make a few changes after a poor show at Lordā€™s in theĀ second Test. In came Rishabh Pant as a wicket-keeper batsman making his Test debut at Trent Bridge. However, more than his skill behind the wickets, India needed solidity and gumption in batting as Dinesh Karthik was struggling to stay long at the wicket.

Pant, who scored crucial 24 in the first innings, showed maturity in countering the English attack when India lost their way late on day one. Speaking of his debut, the 20-year-old said thatĀ the India A stint helped him get used to the English conditions better.

ā€œKeeping in England is always difficult because the ball wobbles a lot behind the wicket. The thing is that I have been playing India-A cricket since last two-and-a-half months in England, so it has been helpful for me,ā€ Pant said.

However, during his Test debut, Pant spilled a few chances, particularly against Jasprit Bumrah. Speaking of which Pant said it was owing to the angle that the pacer creates at the time of delivery.

ā€œIt is a big challenge, but the thing is that when Bumrah bowls, he bowls with a different angle. So, sometimes we react to it. That day I reacted too much on that ball and the edge came off. I should have taken it,ā€ he added.

The standout moment for Pant came when he smacked Adil Rashid for a six off the second ball he faced in Test cricket. Pant said he was just playing normal cricket and was reacting to the situation even after being nervous.

ā€œI was nervous. Everyone is nervous when they play their first match. When I see the ball I donā€™t think too much, just see the ball and react to it. That is what happened. I was just playing normal cricket,ā€ he said.

Pant, who came to limelight after the 2016 under-19 World Cup, concluded by attributing his meteoric rise to India-A coach Rahul Dravid and his childhood coach Tarak Sinha.

ā€œIt has been a good experience so far because starting from zero is not easy. I am very thankful to Rahul Dravid sir, and also my coach who has seen me from my childhood, Tarak Sinha. He has helped me at every point in my life. From my technique, everything, the credit goes to Tarak Sinha sir,ā€ Pant concluded.

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