Rishabh Pant's Journey: From Hard Work to Twin Centuries at Headingley

Rishabh Pant's recent twin centuries at Headingley have captured attention, but his journey of hard work and discipline post-Border Gavaskar Test series is equally inspiring. Former strength coach Soham Desai shares insights into Pant's commitment, including cutting off social ties and rigorous gym sessions. Despite facing controversies and challenges, Pant's resilience shines through as he climbs the ICC Test Rankings. Read on to explore the dedication behind his success.
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Rishabh Pant's Journey: From Hard Work to Twin Centuries at Headingley

Rishabh Pant's Transformation and Dedication

Rishabh Pant has recently gained attention for his remarkable twin centuries at Headingley, but his dedication and effort following the Border Gavaskar Test series are equally commendable. In a conversation with a prominent news outlet, Soham Desai, India's former strength and conditioning coach, shared insights into Pant's commitment to self-improvement.


Desai revealed that after returning from Australia, Pant made significant lifestyle changes, including deleting his WhatsApp account and turning off his phone for extended periods. He would only activate it when necessary to reach out to someone.


Moreover, Pant disregarded fatigue and the prescribed workload programs, often persuading Desai to join him at the gym during any available time. Desai remarked,


"He consistently engaged in the most rigorous training sessions. Whenever he had free time, he insisted I join him at the gym. He was unconcerned about fatigue or workload schedules, focusing solely on his personal development. On the day of the final, he approached me feeling somewhat guilty and asked if he could take a break. I told him it was about time he did."


Desai further commented,


"Pant possesses such resilience that he could manage for at least a year without needing to push himself excessively. This is evident in how well he moved during the Headingley Test, even after scoring two centuries and keeping wickets for an extended period."


Recently, Pant found himself at the center of controversy when India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, interrupted a journalist's question that mentioned Pant. The journalist clarified that his inquiry was solely about Pant's workload.


Despite a challenging start in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Pant showcased his determination and aggression during the Sydney Test. A particular ramp shot that led to his dismissal drew criticism from Sunil Gavaskar, who labeled it as "stupid," a remark that gained traction.


Unfortunately, Pant missed the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 but utilized this time for personal growth before heading to England. With his impressive twin centuries, Pant climbed to seventh place in the ICC Test Batting Rankings, marking his highest achievement to date.


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