I am not thinking about an India cap now, says Pant

With Wriddhiman Saha injured, it was touted that Pant would keep wickets in the third India-England Test at Mohali but the selectors chose experienced-pro Parthiv Patel for the job. However, it hasn’t dented any of Pant’s excitement. “I always want to be in a positive frame of mind. I am playing only Ranji Trophy for now and it is of prime importance that I continue doing the good work for Delhi. It is not the time to think about selection. It is up to the selectors. I am concentrating on one job at a time and that helps me to be better at what I do,” Pant said on the side lines of his team’s practice session at the SSN College Ground, ahead of their Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha. 

The 19-year-old Uttarakhand born player, who idolises Adam Gilchrist and Virender Sehwag for their swashbuckling style of play, said he was happy to see his name discussed. “It (getting selected and rejected) is a part and parcel of any cricketer’s journey. I have prepared well and the only way to gather the selector’s attention is to keep performing well, which I want to keep doing,” Pant added. 

With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Gautam Gambhir and Unmukt Chand in Delhi’s ranks, it presents a good opportunity for Pant to learn a lot. “All the seniors have asked me to play my positive game and back myself well,” he said adding that he has been concentrating on improving his wicketkeeping skills too, even though his batting his hogged the limelight in recent times.