Rishabh Pant is known not just for his explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping but also for his witty stump mic comments too that have entertained cricket fans for years.
Pant’s constant chatter behind the stumps has become one of the most popular subplots in India’s matches. Ahead of the India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s starting July 10, Pant revealed why he talks behind the stumps during matches.
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'It helps me a lot': Rishabh Pant on his famous behind-the-stump chatter
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in London, Pant credited his late coach Tarak Sinha for teaching him the value of constantly talking on the field. It’s not just for entertainment, it’s a mental trick to stay alert and confident.
“My coach late Tarak Sinha taught me to keep talking to yourself. That’s what I have been doing since childhood; it helps me a lot,” Pant told reporters ahead of the third Test.
Now the vice-captain, Pant plays a bigger role than ever, especially with the gloves on. He supports skipper Shubman Gill from behind the stumps and often acts as the second set of eyes in field placements, bowler rotations, and reading the pitch.
Pant’s stump mic moments have returned in full flow during the current series. Pant has made his presence felt not just with the bat but also with his voice.
Pant’s current form going into the Lord’s Test
With 342 runs in four innings at an average of 85.50, Pant has been one of India’s top performers in the series so far. He smashed two centuries in the Leeds Test and followed it up with a half-century at Edgbaston, where India won by 336 runs.
His confidence is sky-high and India will be banking on him again at Lord’s, a venue where they famously beat England in 2021.
India will aim to take a 2-1 series lead when the third Test begins on July 10, and Pant’s presence, on and off the mic, might once again be the X-factor.