Things don't change overnight. I'm just 21, maturity will come: Pant

NEW DELHI: Of overdue, Rishabh Pant has been the focal point of raging debate in Indian cricket over the wicketkeeper batsman now not being picked for the approaching World Cup. 10 days after the selection, you had been forced to empathise with him when you saw him shut his eyes, clinch his fists and acquire himself as he got here out of an IPL sponsor dedication.

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That done, he pulled a chair, handed over the sponsor's pay cheque to his manager and requested him to make sure the money reaches underprivileged children.

A deep breath later, Pant used to be able for a chat. You knew he used to be now not comfortable discussing World Cup. So you took him again to the times when he shuttled between Roorkee, Jaipur and Delhi to discover a release pad for his occupation. For the report, Pant had neglected out on U-16 cricket and the Delhi Ranji group resisted his advent despite his dominance in U-19 cricket.

"Whatever you learn in your childhood helps you a lot. I had to travel a lot to play and met a lot of people. I didn't get my due easily. There have been certain things for which I was made to push that bit extra. Those things have made me mentally strong," Pant said as he mentioned dealing with setbacks.

"It is a setback when you are not selected. I am used to it. But a professional should know how to deal with it. Things will not always be the way you want them to be. When things don't go your way, you need to find a way to keep yourself positive. The important thing is to know how you can move on."

Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad mentioned Pant's maturity (loss of it) coming in the way of his variety for the World Cup. One of the biggest criticisms has been his lack of ability to complete video games. So, the battle cry after completing the fit for Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals every week after the selection made sense.

"I take any criticism positively. Finishing matches is important. I will learn to do it consistently. You only learn from your experiences and mistakes," Pant made a humble remark earlier than explaining the reality of the process. "Things don't change overnight. I am just 21. It's difficult to think like a 30-year-old man. In due course, my mind will be stronger and there will be a lot of maturity. You need to give it time."

By now, Pant is aware of that his flamboyance at the field is steadily wrong to be a casual manner. Talk about his 'herbal talent' dominates most research. "Natural talent sounds nice. But I don't have enough knowledge about what natural talent is and how it can be linked to hard work. I know that if I had to play top-level cricket then it wouldn't come without hard work. I was always told to focus on myself, not think ill of others."

Three weeks after the selection heartbreak, Pant seems to have 'moved on'. He is at the leading edge of Delhi Capitals' encouraging run in IPL. Does the position of being some of the mainstays of a rather younger batting lineup lend a hand? "Even when I play for India, my aim is to help my team win. It's the same for every team I play for," he said, now not short of to complicate things.

The closing 8 months had been loopy for him. From the joy of being a Test luck to the anxiety of discovering a undeniable position in India's white-ball group, Pant's journey has belied stereotypes. He has time for himself now and he has hit the reset button already. "I need to work on all facets - be it the game or the approach. I'll take that one at a time. Popularity milti rahegi. (Popularity will come along). But I have to focus on what I need to do to improve as a player."

As the mud settles at the World Cup squad debate, India's No. 1 standby leaves, asserting: "Aim toh ek hi hain. IPL jeetna. (There's only one aim now. Win the IPL)."