Delhi Daredevils’ Rishabh Pant called his 36-ball 57 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru on April 8 the “most difficult knock of my life”, in an interview to Times of India on Saturday.
The 19-year-old lost his father to a heart attack the previous day and flew back to play the match hours after performing his father’s last rites. His gritty knock, ultimately in a losing case, received much praise.
“It was emotionally the most difficult knock of my life, but my father wanted me to play cricket,” said Pant. “He had a dream that I should play for India for a long time. That’s why I played the match. He was the reason why I started to play cricket. I didn’t want to think about what happened, but I had to play the match. Somehow, I managed it.”
The 19-year-old added that it was his mother who encouraged him to go and play the match. “My family wants me to play for India. My mother told me: ‘Don’t think about the tragedy. Play cricket and make your father proud, but it wasn’t easy for me to go for the match,” said Pant. “In trying times, the nonstop cricket that playing in the IPL always involves, has provided a ‘healing touch’ to the bereaved youngster. It’s helping me slightly, because cricket is so intense, but that thing can’t be forgotten, nor do I want to forget it.”
The 19-year-old thanked his Delhi Daredevils outfit for being “supportive” and ensuring that he was “comfortable about playing that match”, while giving him enough “space”.
While, Rishabh Pant is being talked about as a contender for a spot in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy in June, he preferred to dismiss such talk by stating, “I’m just looking to perform well in the IPL”.
