For many it was a surprise, for several others it was just the way it should have been, but for Rishabh Pant, his India call-up is a vindication of his own stellar performances. Now drafted into the Indian team, the 20-year-old is all set to start a new leg of his journey in cricket.
Rishabh Pant has been in the sport for a long time a cricketer his age. The youngster who is touted to be in the MS Dhoni mould, is already a crowd favourite. Having ticked many boxes when it comes to proving your mettle as a cricketer, the decision to make him part of the Indian Test cricket team comes as no surprise.
Nonetheless, the youngster was definitely thrilled by the decision, as he expressed while talking to bcci.tv.
It was a great feeling to hear that I had been included in the Indian Test squad. I always wanted to be a part of the Indian Test squad and it was more like a dream come true for me. It was an amazing feeling, not only for me but also for my family and my coach Tarek Sinha sir, who helped me understand the game very early in my life. He has always wanted me to play Test cricket for India and when I got the call, he was very happy and proud and I enjoyed that moment.
Pant was appointed Delhi's captain and this really liberated him as he slammed 900 runs in the 2017-18 season. He then took the IPL by storm and forced people to translate the muted murmurs into vociferous plaudits.
His India inclusion was always coming when he stood out for India A against England Lions in England and even extracted praise from his coach Rahul Dravid.
'Enjoyed my preparation with red ball cricket'
Meanwhile, the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman spoke about how he would be adapting to red ball cricket in the upcoming Test series.
I reckon there isn't too much difference, but it has got more to do with shot selection. In red ball cricket, with the field placements, you can look around; take your time, because you have five days to play. Whereas in limited overs cricket you have limited number of balls to play and score.
"I have so far enjoyed my preparation with red ball cricket. The Duke ball swings a lot when you're here in England and initially when I started playing here with India A, I realized that the swing will come a lot into play in these conditions," Pant summarised his game.
He might not yet make it to the starting XI, but Pant's journey as a future Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has already begun.
India take on England in the first of the five matches at Nottingham on August 1.
