Rishabh Pant expressed his deep gratitude towards MS Dhoni, highlighting the pivotal role the former captain has played in shaping his career and personal growth. Pant credited Dhoni as his mentor and confidant, emphasizing that Dhoni has consistently been there for him during critical junctures. He also acknowledged Dhoni’s significant impact on cricket, particularly noting how Dhoni revolutionized wicketkeeping with his unconventional methods. Pant’s heartfelt tribute came during a video released by Star Sports on X, coinciding with Guru Purnima, underscoring the profound influence Dhoni continues to have on the younger generation of cricketers like himself.
Rishabh Pant accepts MS Dhoni as his ‘go-to man’
In the video, Pant revealed that Dhoni has been his go-to man both on and off the field. Pant also adds that Dhoni lets the other player make their own decisions rather than just telling them what to do.
“Sirf on the field nahi, off the field bhi because agar mereko koi problem hota hai, he is someone who is my go-to man generally. Jab mai khud confuse ho jata hu, to main bhaiya ke pass hi jata hu ki bhaiya, ab kya lagta hai because he is someone jo aapko apne decision banana dete hai (Not only on the field but off the field as well because he is my go-to man whenever I have any problem. Whenever I get confused, I always go up to him to ask for any suggestion because he is someone who lets you make your own decisions),” Pant said in the video.
Pant hailed Dhoni by saying that he wanted the player to learn rather than implement Dhoni’s own methods. According to Pant, the legendary India wicketkeeper just tells you both the aspects of the game and it’s up to the player to decide which way he wants to go.
“He wants you to learn your thought process also. Aisa nahi hai ki ye maine bata diye to ye karna zaroori hai. Wo dono side ka bata dete hai. (At the) end of the day, you choose what you want to do. But dono factors bata dete hai (He doesn’t force you to do whatever he says. He just tells you both the aspects. At the end of the day, it’s us who will take the decision),” Pant revealed.
Learnings from MS Dhoni
When asked about the learnings from the great man himself, Pant remembered how Dhoni changed the way of wicketkeeping by using his own way of keeping behind the wickets.
“Bhot saari learning hai. Cricket me itna bada change tha ki as a wicketkeeper, technique pe extreme questions hote the. He is someone jisne definition hi change kardi wicketkeeping ki (There are a lot of learnings from him. In cricket, there were so many questions on the technique of a wicketkeeper earlier but Dhoni changed the definition totally). Staying at the present whatever you are doing,” The 26-year-old added.
“Wo aisa feel nahi karate ki he is someone (so big). When I was 18 aur team mein first time gaya tha, aisa kabhi feel nahi karaya ki ye junior hai. Wo itna pyaar se rakhte hai ki banda pyaar me ho hi jaata hai. (He doesn’t make you feel like he is such a big player. When I was just 18 and had just entered into the Indian team, he didn’t make me feel like I was a junior. He keeps you with lots of love and affection),” Pant claimed.
