TimesofIndia.com in London: Rishabh Pant’s chirpy and talkative presence behind the stumps is no secret. The Indian wicketkeeper is frequently heard on the stump mic delivering witty one-liners or engaging in light-hearted banter with teammates.
As India gear up for the third Test at Lord's, vice-captain Pant credited this habit to his late childhood coach, Tarak Sinha.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"My coach late Tarak Sinha taught me to keep talking to yourself. That’s what I have been doing since childhood; it helps me a lot," Pant told reporters ahead of the third Test starting Thursday.
The 27-year-old, who recently made a buzz with his appearance at Wimbledon, also shared insights on India’s playing XI, how the team overcame the absence of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test, and the strong on-field communication between himself and captain Shubman Gill.
With Bumrah rested, it was Akash Deep who rose to the occasion at Edgbaston. The young pacer delivered a match-winning performance, taking 10 wickets — four in the first innings and six in the second — playing a crucial role in India’s 336-run victory.
Pant also had words of praise for skipper Shubman Gill, who is leading India in his first assignment as Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from red-ball cricket ahead of the England series.
"When you have good camaraderie off the field, communication is better on the ground," said Pant.
"Jasprit Bumrah was not playing but Siraj and Akash Deep stood up," he added.
Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!