Former India World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has shared his insights on Rishabh Pant’s determination to overcome recent challenges in white-ball cricket and regain his place in the Indian team’s limited-overs plans. Pant’s last appearance for India in this format was during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2024, where he played three ODIs and three T20Is but scored just 57 runs across the series.
Despite being included in India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which the team won, Pant did not feature in a single game. This was due to KL Rahul’s continued dominance as the preferred wicketkeeper-batter.
Yuvraj highlighted Pant’s commitment to improvement during a podcast with Sports Tak. He stated, “He is someone who is focused on progressing in his cricket and improving. He’s determined to perform well and make his way back into the white-ball format.”
Pant, known as the most expensive player in IPL history, has been working on his batting and temperament with Yuvraj in Mumbai. Yuvraj believes that mental preparation plays a crucial role in Pant’s performance. “If I can help him mentally, I believe he’ll be in a much better place. And I truly feel he is in a better space now, so this IPL, you will definitely witness a different Rishabh Pant,” he added.
Yuvraj, who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, has mentored several current Indian stars. These include Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, as well as openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. According to Yuvraj, his mentoring style focuses more on understanding a player’s mindset rather than technical aspects.
Speaking about Pant, Yuvraj mentioned that he spent several days working with him. This period of mentorship has been instrumental in helping Pant refine his approach to the game.
Pant’s struggles in white-ball cricket have been evident over time. In the previous IPL season, while captaining Lucknow Super Giants, he managed only one century and one half-century. His overall average stood at 24.45, with a strike rate above 133. During India’s victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, he scored 171 runs in eight innings, averaging 24.42 with a strike rate of 127.61.
Looking ahead, Pant is expected to return to action in the IPL when his side faces Sunrisers Hyderabad on 5 April. This opportunity could mark a turning point in his career, especially with the support and guidance of Yuvraj Singh.
