Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, known for his flamboyant cricketing style and fearless shot-making, recently surprised fans by drawing an interesting parallel between tennis and cricket. As he continues his journey of rehabilitation and a remarkable return to international cricket following his life-threatening car accident in late 2022, Pant has been candid about his mindset, his inspiration, and how his perspective on the game has evolved. In a recent interview, Pant revealed how watching tennis — a sport he has closely followed during his recovery period — has helped him understand cricket better.
Pant spoke about how top tennis players like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer maintain composure under pressure, manage long rallies, and build points with strategy — all of which, he feels, have strong applications in cricket, especially in the longer formats. “In tennis, you don’t have a partner to rely on. You are out there alone, reading your opponent, changing your rhythm, and finding the right time to go for the kill. That’s very similar to what we do in cricket, especially in a pressure situation,” Pant said.
The 26-year-old explained how the mental side of both sports is more similar than fans might think. He believes the strategic patience required in a tennis rally resembles the kind of patience batters must exhibit in Test cricket. “Sometimes, you have to wait for the bowler to tire, much like a tennis player waits for the right ball to go for a winner. That ability to absorb pressure and strike at the right time — that’s something I’ve learned from watching tennis,” he added.
Pant’s growing maturity and introspection have been evident since his return to professional cricket in 2024. Not only has he returned to lead the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, but his fitness and form have shown impressive improvement. While his natural flair remains intact, there’s a new sense of calculation and calmness in his game. Many attribute this to the time he spent away from the field, reflecting on his career and taking cues from other sports.
His comparison between tennis and cricket also underscores a broader truth — that elite sport, regardless of the discipline, often demands the same qualities: resilience, focus, timing, and decision-making. Pant’s admiration for tennis athletes has also made him a student of sports psychology and mental fitness, areas he believes are just as important as physical conditioning.
This tennis-cricket connection has inspired Pant to fine-tune his shot selection, especially in Test cricket where his aggressive style has sometimes come under scrutiny. Observing the discipline and tactics of tennis greats seems to have influenced Pant to value timing over brute force, and patience over reckless urgency.
As Pant continues to rebuild his career and aims for long-term success across formats, these insights might very well be the key to unlocking a more consistent and evolved version of himself. The fusion of tennis tactics with cricketing instincts has already begun to shape Rishabh Pant 2.0 — a player who is not only explosive but also increasingly aware, strategic, and mentally attuned to the nuances of elite sport.