T20 World Cup 2022: Whole team is slightly nervous but ready to give 100% – Rishabh Pant

India’s wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has revealed that the whole team is slightly nervous but ready to give 100% in the upcoming T20 World Cup. India could not even go past the Super 12 stage in the 2021 T20 World Cup and they will be looking to turn the tables under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

The Virat Kohli-led team had lost to arch-rivals Pakistan and New Zealand and thus could make it to the semifinal stages in the previous edition.

In fact, Team India had last won a major ICC trophy back in the 2013 Champions Trophy when MS Dhoni led the team to glory. Since then India has been playing consistently in the major tournaments but they haven’t been able to cross the final hurdle.

India has a potent squad and they will enter the T20 World Cup as one of the favorites to go all the way in the tournament.

“With the World Cup around the corner, the whole team is slightly nervous, but at the same time, as a team, we love to give our 100 percent and focus on our process. That’s the only thing we can do,” Pant said on the sidelines of an event organized by the tourism board of the State of Victoria, as quoted by PTI news agency.

“Hopefully we’ll reach the final and do the best for the team,” Pant said.

Pant urged the Indian fans to keep supporting the team in Australia in the T20I showpiece.

“As (a part of) the Indian team, we’d love to have as many supporters as we can in Australia to back us. Every cheer counts for us. It makes us believe that we can win.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pant is expecting an amazing atmosphere at the stadium.

“I think it’s an amazing atmosphere, playing at the MCG because it’s one of the most iconic cricket stadiums around the world. Especially the Indian crowd there is brilliant for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pant has savored great success in Australia in Test matches. The left-hander had scored a match-winning knock of 89 runs in the historic Gabba Test match against Australia.

“It’s one of my favorite moments in my cricketing career so far. I’m glad that I could help my team cross the line that day and have that amazing Test match and series win,” Pant said.