Team India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant opened up on the bat slipping away from his hand amid the ongoing Test series against England. Ahead of the decisive third Test against England at the Lord's Cricket Ground, the 27-year-old simply said 'it just happens with me, man'.
Team India's second innings of the second Test at Edgbaston saw Pant's bat slip out of his grip twice. The first instance occurred off the bowling of right-arm seamer Josh Tongue when he attempted a slog sweep and the willow flew to square leg without hitting the ball. The second instance took place against Shoaib Bashir as Pant came down the wicket and eventually holed out to long-on.
With Dinesh Karthik interviewing Pant for Sky Sports before the 3rd Test, Pant told the former cricketer:
"Personally, for me, I don't think about that, to throw away my bat. At the same time, when I'm in the moment, it just happens with me man. Moment happens, everything happens, I'm not too focussed in how it's happening rather than just letting it flow."
"I'm happy he's back" - Rishabh Pant looking forward to facing Jofra Archer
When asked by an English reporter during a presser on Tuesday about his contest with the returning Jofra Archer, Pant responded that he wouldn't be doing anything different against the right-arm speedster. The southpaw said:
"Personally, whenever I step on the field, I enjoy my cricket and try to give my 100 percent. It's not particularly about any individual. Yes, it's going to be a good contest, because he's also coming after a long break. But yes, I'm happy he's back."
Archer, who replaced Josh Tongue in England's playing XI, will play his first Test since 2021.
