Rishabh Pant believes that replacing MS Dhoni in the Indian cricket team as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman is a challenging task but he is ready for the challenge ahead.
“I know those are big shoes to fill, but if I start thinking about it there will be a problem. Right now, I am not thinking about what people say. I am just focusing on what I have to do,” Pant told Hindustan Times.
“I just want to do well for my country. That’s the only thing I am focusing on. I take the challenge positively. Now I have to see what I can learn, and what I can do to improve.”
Former skipper Dhoni will be unavailable for the tour to West Indies in August, meaning Pant will likely be the first-choice wicketkeeper in at least the limited-overs sides.
“The way he reads the game, that is the first thing. Then, he is always very calm in pressure situations. There are many things to learn from him.
“And off the field he is always very helpful too. I look to always keep learning from the seniors.”
For his part, Pant is not willing to rest on his laurels and wants to add new tricks to his repertoire on a regular basis, heeding advice given to him by his coach.
“My coach has always told me one thing: every year you have to add something to your game. You can’t stagnate because now the technology is so good that you have to keep improving and add on things each and every day of your career.
“That’s what I try to do. I just keep on trying new things. If it helps me, I try it in a match. There are days when I try these new shots in the nets, some days I don’t. It is all part of a long-term process.”
