"My white ball record isn't bad, I am just 25 years old" - Rishabh Pant on being asked about his form in ODIs and T20Is
Team India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recently claimed he has decent numbers with the bat in white-ball cricket. Pant also suggested that judging his record at this stage of his career is unfair since he is only 25 years old.
The left-handed batter believes that statistics will reveal a clearer picture when he has played for a few more years.
Pant made these remarks during a pre-match interview ahead of the third ODI clash between India and New Zealand on Wednesday, November 30.
"My white-ball record isn't bad, I am just 25 years old," he said. "Comparison [in my numbers across formats] can be done when I'm 34. Before that, there is no logic in it for me."
Upon being asked if he practices wicketkeeping more than batting ahead of a match, Pant mentioned that there's no fixed routine and that it varies depending on the conditions.
The talented youngster added that there's not much time between games, highlighting that he is set to tour Bangladesh right after the conclusion of the ODI series in New Zealand.
"It's usually the same until I feel like I need to practice keeping more, if it's a turning track, or if I need to practice more batting. It's all based on the feel," Pant said. "There is no downtime at all. I am going to Bangladesh and there are matches there directly."
Pant is yet to fire with the bat in the ongoing New Zealand tour. While the southpaw mustered 17 runs from two matches in the T20I series, he was dismissed for just 15 runs in the ODI series opener.
"I would choose to open in T20s" - Rishabh Pant on his preferred batting position
Rishabh Pant further added that he would like to play as an opener in T20 cricket. Speaking about the longer formats, Pant stated that he wants to bat at No.4 in ODIs and No. 5 in Test matches.
The swashbuckling batter, however, clarified that his position in the batting order was based on the captain's plan, and that he was always willing to give his best in all situations.
"I would choose to open in T20s, four in ODIs," Pant said. "And of course, I'm batting at five in Tests. Of course, the game plan is different if I open or bat at four. But at the same time, the captain thinks about where you can give your best for the team...Wherever I get an opportunity, I look to give my best to the team."
The third and final ODI is a must-win affair for the Shikhar Dhawan-led side. New Zealand secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the opening encounter to go 1-0. The second fixture was called off due to rain.