Rishabh Pant’s success mantra: See ball, hit ball
May 5, 2017
Rishabh Pant and opener Sanju Samson stitched together a 143-run stand in only 63 balls for the second wicket as Delhi Daredevils pulled off the second highest successful run chase in Indian Premier League history.
Chasing 209 for a win and keep their play-offs hopes alive, Delhi rode on Pant’s 97 off 43 balls and opener Sanju Samson’s 31-ball 61 to overhaul the victory target against Gujarat Lions in 17.3 overs. (Pant’s innings won the the best in IPL: Tendulkar)
Chatting with with coach Rahul Dravid post match on iplt20.com, Pant revealed his success mantra.
“I just told Sanju bhai, see the ball and hit it. If the ball is there to hit, just hit it. Don’t think about the next ball, if next ball is also there to be hit, do so,” Pant said in a candid chat. (Pant consoled by Raina after heartbreak at 97)
“I was in a good nick. I was watching the ball well and I think the atmosphere really helped. This game is all about the mindset. It was very clear and positive. So, I just backed myself,” Samson said. (I like to play aggressively: Pant)
Pant said they just targetted the bad balls and had no specific plan against any bowler in particular.
“As I told you, the plan was just to hit the bad ball,” Pant added.
Samson said he enjoyed batting with Pant.
“I really enjoyed batting with Rishabh. I started the innings really well. After hitting two sixes, I thought of taking a single but he came up to me and said, ‘bhaiya zyada socho mat, bass marte raho’. I think that really helped me to go on, enjoyed batting with him,” Samson added.
Pant further said, “a good domestic season really helped. We have won two matches in a row, but we will take one match at a time.”
The “incredible innings” by the two youngsters has left Dravid pretty impressed.
“What was impressive for me was Risabh batting on 97 and not thinking about his hundred at that stage and still going for the shots and not worrying about the hundred nd looking to get the team home. Incredible innings from the two boys and truly well deserved. As I am a hard task master, so I hope that you guys finish the job next time and stay not out,” Dravid concluded.
With four win, Delhi climbed to sixth spot on 8 points from 10 matches. They need to win their remaining four matches to keep their hopes alive of finishing in top four.
