Rishabh Pant opens up on captaincy debut against South Africa in Guwahati Test

Rishabh Pant on Friday admitted captaining India in a one-off Test was not the “ideal situation”; But he stressed that he was not overanalyzing the challenge as the team prepares for a crucial second Test against an established South African team in Guwahati. Pant stepped in as captain after regular skipper Shubman Gill was removed from the squad due to neck spasm ahead of the match starting on Saturday.

“A one-off match is not the best scenario for a captain but I am grateful to the BCCI for giving me this honour. Sometimes if you think too much about a big event, it doesn’t help,” Pant said at the pre-match press conference. “I don’t want to think too much. We’ve had a tough first test and we have to do whatever it takes to win.”

“We all know how we play cricket and how we want to conduct ourselves. The last Test was tough and coming out of this, we want to do whatever it takes to win this match and focus on the way forward,” he said.

With India trailing 0-1 after South Africa’s victory at the Eden Gardens, Pant emphasized the importance of the team remaining humble.

“At this level you will always be under pressure. You may be 0-1 behind but we don’t want to dwell on the result. Whether we are one ahead or one behind we still have to give 200 percent,” he said. “There is no use in being subjected to unnecessary pressure. Eventually the team that plays better cricket will win.”

While discussing his leadership style, Pant stated that he values ​​a blend of traditional strategies and gut feelings.

“I want to keep it a mix of both. Being traditional works, but so does thinking outside the box. It’s all about balance. And yes, I definitely follow my instincts,” he said.

He also confirmed that it had been officially decided that Gill would be replaced by another person.

“We have decided who will play instead of Shubman. The person who will play knows that he is playing,” he said.

When comparing the surfaces, he noted that the upcoming second Test venue is expected to provide better batting conditions compared to Eden Gardens.

“Because this is my first Test match here. So everyone has a special feeling about coming here. As far as the pitch is concerned, I also think this wicket will play better. Definitely, it is a better wicket to bat on. Obviously, it will transform after a few days. But it will be a good contest,” he said.

With the series in question and the new responsibility on his shoulders, Pant remained calm. “We have to keep things simple. The team that plays better cricket will win,” he concluded.

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