“When we lost the World Cup semi-final, he was really hurt.” Chahal on this youngster ‘matured’ player

Chahal heaped praise on Pant, he said that the World Cup 2019 loss was a turning point in Pant’s career as he became mentally stronger.

Saturday, May 22: Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was in the India squad for the World Cup 2019 that had been played in England. Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were among the senior spinner in the squad. Kuldeep and Chahal had seen playing for the last time together against England in Edgbaston. In the World Cup 2011, India was on the top of the table, but one deficient match ended their World Cup dreams as India lost the semi-final against New Zealand by 18 runs at Old Trafford in Manchester.

In the world Cup, Shikhar Dhawan was replaced by Vijay Shankar as he fractured his thumb. Later, Vijay Shankar injured his toe and Rishabh Pant came in his place. Pant played his first match in World Cup against England. He scored 32 runs in his maiden game followed by 48 runs against Bangladesh and 4 runs against Sri Lanka.

Talking with Sports Tak, Chahal heaped praise on Pant, he said that the World Cup 2019 loss was a turning point in Pant’s career as he became mentally stronger. Chahal said, “Rishabh Pant’s batting style hasn’t changed, but he has become mentally tougher. He is more clear about what he wants to do now and has begun to take greater responsibility. I would say he has really matured of late.”

Chahal revealed how the dismissal and the result had impacted him and how he talked him in that difficult phase of his life and boost him to feel better.

Chahal said, “I remember he had come into the team midway through the 2019 World Cup. When we lost the semi-final (against New Zealand), he was really hurt. As an elder brother, I could see that he had been impacted a lot. I spoke to him during that phase and he came out of it well.”

After that, he scored 89 runs at Gabba and led India to victory against Australia. Also, he proved his maturity when he completed his 100 in the 4th Test against England at Ahmedabad.

“In Australia, he scored that 89 not out at the Gabba to take the team to victory. Even in the Ahmedabad Test (fourth Test against England), when the ball was turning a lot, he managed to crack an excellent hundred. Those knocks proved his maturity and his hunger,” Chahal added.

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