Rishabh Pant has shared his thoughts on what makes Virat Kohli special. Pant spoke on the Business of Sport show. He talked about the pressure that comes with being a top cricketer in India.
Pant said young players often get love early in their careers. But an athlete’s graph always goes up and down. Kohli is different. He has stayed exceptional for his entire career. Pant feels it is not normal to stay at the top like Kohli has.
Pant also explained how outside noise affects players. He said every decision a cricketer makes gets questioned. It could be about sport or personal life. The bigger you become, the more the pressure mounts. Pant has played with Kohli for eight years in international cricket. He has seen Kohli handle that pressure and remain at the pinnacle.
Kohli is in great form in ODIs this year. He is India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format in 2026. He has scored 523 runs in seven matches. That includes three centuries and two fifties. His average is 87.16.
In the first ODI against West Indies, Kohli scored 139 not out off 88 balls. He became the fastest batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs. India won the match by eight wickets. Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for taking 4 for 40.
…Opens Up on India ODI Snub and His Push for a Comeback
Rishabh Pant has not played an ODI for India in more than two years. His last 50-over match was on August 7, 2024. Since then, he has been left out of the ODI setup. The latest blow came when India named their squad for the West Indies series. Pant was not included again.
He was named captain of the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup. That is a small recognition. But it does not change the fact that he still wants to play ODIs for India.
Pant spoke about his situation on the Business of Sport podcast. He said it feels bad when you are left out. But he believes athletes learn to handle setbacks. He said a setback is always followed by a comeback. These things are part of a player’s life. He knows how hard he is working. He is clear about what he must do to stay at the top.
Pant also said people find it easy to give opinions. But they have to wait for things to happen. He feels he has not had the best chances to show his full ability. He also said international cricket keeps changing. Sometimes you have to wait for your chance and then make it count.
His ODI numbers show why he wants another chance. He has played 31 ODIs. He has scored 871 runs at an average of 33.50. He has one century, an unbeaten 125 against England in 2022. He also has five fifties. That century is still his only one in the format.
Pant also lost a year of cricket after his car accident in 2022. That meant he missed the 2023 World Cup. Since coming back, he has built a strong Test career. But in white-ball cricket, he is still waiting for another chance.
…Names England and Australia as the Biggest Test Cricket Lovers, Leaves India Out
Rishabh Pant has shared his thoughts on where Test cricket is loved the most. He picked England and Australia. He did not include India. That raised some eyebrows because Pant plays for India.
Pant was speaking on the Business of Sport podcast. He was asked if the passion for Test cricket is still as strong as it used to be. He gave a thoughtful answer. He has played all over the world, so he has seen how different crowds react to the format.
He said England and Australia are the two places where the longer format gets the highest appreciation. He feels the love for Test cricket is still very much alive there.
Pant also explained why Test cricket means so much to him. He said the format tests everything. One match can have many ups and downs. It tests your character and your mind. He said you can learn a lot about a person just by watching them play Test cricket. That is why it is called the purest form of the game.
He also gave credit to the World Test Championship. He said the WTC has helped bring interest back to Test cricket. More matches are now producing results. That has made the format more exciting for fans. His interview also touched on his recovery from the 2022 car crash. That crash almost ended his career.
FAQs
Q. What makes Virat Kohli special according to Rishabh Pant?
A. Pant says Kohli has stayed exceptional throughout his career.
Q. How many ODI runs has Kohli scored in 2026?
A. Kohli has scored 523 runs in seven matches.
Q. When did Rishabh Pant last play an ODI for India?
A. Pant last played an ODI on August 7, 2024.
Q. How many ODI runs has Rishabh Pant scored?
A. Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs.
Q. Which countries does Pant say love Test cricket the most?
A. Pant picked England and Australia.
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