India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant recalls how the 2018 season of the IPL was life-changing for the youngster. In the 14 matches he played, Pant amassed a massive 684 runs during the league stages. Averaging 52.61, the left-hander raced up six half-centuries at an aggressive strike rate of 158.41. It was the most number of runs scored by a Delhi Capitals batsman in a single season.

Speaking with Delhi Capitals in an Instagram live chat session, The explosive left-hander shared how Sourav Ganguly’s advice worked wonders for the southpaw. Current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly was a part of the Delhi Capitals backroom staff working as a mentor for the franchise in 2018. Pant said: “You need to give yourself some time and then you can do whatever you want to do. He always wanted me to do well. He told me a few things and I tried them also. It helped.”

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Rishabh Pant said, “That was a life-changing season for me. I needed that breakthrough that everyone needs. The core group always thinks of winning IPL for Delhi. We qualified for the knockouts last time and came third.”

Pant also praises Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting adding how Ponting has helped him play his natural game. “He gives me a free hand. He says do whatever you want to do.”

The 22-year-old also spoke on how Test Cricket is the real deal. He signed off before speaking on how everyone is challenged for a period of over 5 days in red-ball cricket.

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“I love playing Tests. You can give yourself time. Mostly you can test yourself in Test cricket. When I was playing four-day first-class games, I had heard it is the real test but when I played five-day cricket…it was like you need to put in that extra effort,” Pant said.