Rishabh Pant Reflects on His Return to Red-Ball Cricket, Upcoming Test Assignments For Team India

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India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, fresh off an inspiring return to international cricket, has cautioned against underestimating Bangladesh in the upcoming two-Test series.

Pamt - who is part of the India B side in the ongoing Duleep Trophy tournament - also stressed the importance of continuous improvement for the Indian cricket team.

In an exclusive interview with JioCinema, Pant shared insights into his mindset, preparations for the series, and the significance of domestic cricket in shaping international success.

Pant To Focus on Consistency and Improvement

As India prepares to face Bangladesh, starting with the first Test in Chennai on September 19, Pant urged his team not to take their opponents lightly, especially considering Bangladesh's recent 2-0 series win against Pakistan.

The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter noted how familiar conditions can give Asian teams an edge but stressed the importance of maintaining high standards. The southpaw last played a Test match back in 2022, against Bangladesh in Mirpur which India won by three wickets, days before he was involved in a near-fatal car accident, ruling him out of action for more than a year.

"Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka perform well in Asian conditions because they are accustomed to the wickets," Pant said. "However, as the Indian cricket team, we focus solely on our own standards and how we can improve. Regardless of the opposition, we strive to play with the same intensity and give our hundred per cent every single day."

Pant's remarks come ahead of a packed schedule for India, with 10 Test matches lined up in the next five months, including three against New Zealand at home and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Navigating Pressure in International Cricket

Pant - who made a strong comeback on the cricket field after recovery from several major surgeries due to injuries - highlighted the narrowing gap between international teams, making every series crucial. "Pressure will always be there because in international cricket, you can't take any series lightly. The margin between winning and losing is very small, and nowadays, the gap between international teams isn't much either," he explained.

This awareness of competition has shaped Pant's approach to his game, urging him and his teammates to maintain a high level of performance in every match.

The Role of Domestic Cricket in Shaping Future Stars

Pant, who is currently playing in the Duleep Trophy for Team B, is making his return to red-ball cricket after almost two years. Reflecting on the importance of domestic cricket, he said, "It is very important for us to play domestic cricket because as a cricketer, match practice is always very important."

Pant also emphasized how his participation in domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy can benefit young cricketers. "The youngsters also learn a lot of things from us- they see you playing here even after playing international cricket. There is a lot to give back to domestic cricket."

Comeback to red-ball format after Injury

The Duleep Trophy holds personal significance for Pant, marking his first red-ball match since December 2022 after a long hiatus caused by injury. Reflecting on his comeback, Pant said, "I think it is an amazing feeling for me, also because when I met with the accident two years ago, I used to always think about when I will be able to play for India again. In the last six months, I played the IPL, and we also won the T20 World Cup. It's a great feeling as I had always dreamt of winning the World Cup since I was a kid."

Now, as he returns to red-ball cricket, Pant looks forward to contributing to India's domestic and international campaigns. He also mentioned the sense of responsibility that comes with being an experienced player in domestic cricket.

"It also gives us the opportunity to share all the learnings and experiences from international cricket with our colleagues, especially with the young players and newcomers. It gives them a huge boost since we all have reached here from playing domestic cricket," he added.