Image Source: Star Sports
[Saba Sports News] The ‘Believe’ series on Star Sports has emerged as a pioneering platform, offering athletes an avenue to share their personal and professional stories, thereby offering fans a deeper understanding of their journeys. This series satisfies the audience’s craving for genuine and fresh content, inspiring upcoming sports talent by showcasing moments of triumph and the message that greatness is accessible to all.
Rishabh Pant’s narrative is highlighted in the third installment of the ‘Believe’ series, where he shares the significant experiences that have influenced his career. This exclusive content, airing on the Star Sports Network, presents Pant’s journey through adversities and achievements, alongside his unique bond with the cricket community. The series promises an exclusive insight into Pant’s comeback, scheduled for February 1, 2024.
In a candid discussion for the ‘Believe’ series, Pant reveals his close relationship with MS Dhoni, expressing a level of openness and learning he attributes uniquely to Dhoni. He shares how Dhoni’s guidance has been invaluable, discussing topics with him that he wouldn’t with others, underscoring a special mentor-mentee relationship.
“I always find it difficult to explain my relationship with MS. Dhoni. There are some with whom you can talk freely. I discuss everything with MSD. I have learned so much from him. I discuss things with him that I wouldn’t discuss with anybody else. That’s the kind of relationship with him.”
Pant also reminisces about his early days with the Indian cricket team, appreciating the welcoming nature of senior players like Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, which helped him integrate into the team seamlessly. He highlights the supportive culture within the team that eases the transition for new players.
Addressing the pressures of replacing MS Dhoni as a wicketkeeper, Pant speaks on the unfair comparisons and expectations placed on him early in his career, leading to moments of self-doubt and emotional challenges. He emphasizes the unjust nature of such comparisons and shares his struggle with the immense pressure and criticism, providing a glimpse into the mental and emotional resilience required at the professional level.
He shared, “First of all, I didn’t understand why questions were raised. I had just made it to the team, and people were talking about being a replacement. Why were people raising such questions at a youngster? Why are you comparing? There shouldn’t be any comparison at all. Some have played five matches and the others have played 500. It’s been such a long journey, so many ups and downs, so the comparison is not fair. I used to really feel very bad. I used to go back to my room and cry at 20-21 years of age. Under stress, I couldn’t breathe. So much pressure, and I didn’t know what to do. I missed a stumping in Mohali, and the crowd started to chant ‘Dhoni Dhoni’.”