'Yuvraj Singh worked with Rishabh Pant on mental side': Pathan reveals details of LSG skipper’s mindset-focused training

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan revealed details of his recent conversation with Yuvraj Singh, shedding light on Rishabh Pant’s preparation.

Updated on: Mar 26, 2026, 19:06:49 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Rishabh Pant heads into IPL 2026 with plenty riding on his shoulders, especially in the white-ball format, where his place is no longer assured. He has slipped out of India’s T20I plans and is still searching for consistency to cement a spot in the ODI team's XI. The previous IPL season didn’t help his case either. Despite carrying a hefty INR 27 crore price tag, Pant struggled to deliver regularly. He managed 269 runs in 14 matches, with an unbeaten 118 being the lone standout, but that knock came when his team was already out of contention. For most of the campaign, he couldn’t quite get going, and a strike rate of 133.16 only added to the concerns. With expectations still high, IPL 2026 now shapes up as a crucial opportunity for Pant to rediscover his touch and silence the doubts.

Rishabh Pant has trained with Yuvraj Singh ahead of IPL 2026 (X/@LucknowIPL)

The wicketkeeper also spent time training with veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh ahead of the season. Yuvraj has built a reputation for mentoring young talent, having worked closely with players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, and even guiding Sanju Samson in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan revealed details of his recent conversation with Yuvraj, shedding light on Pant’s preparation and role. Pathan shared that Yuvraj’s focus while working with Pant wasn’t on technique but on building his mental strength through long, discussion-driven sessions, even as he stressed the importance of locking the wicketkeeper-batter at No.3 to maximise his impact during the powerplay.

"It is very important that Rishabh Pant gets to bat during the powerplay. Nicholas Pooran has batted at No.3 for them, but Rishabh Pant must be locked in batting at No.3 so that he gets to bat in the powerplay. So, I believe that just lock it. After he worked with Yuvraj Singh, I spoke to Yuvi, and Yuvi told me that more than technical aspects, he worked with Rishabh on the mental side of the game. 3-4 hour sessions were dedicated to just talking," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Also Read - IPL 2026 second phase schedule announced by BCCI, Sunrisers Hyderabad to host Rajasthan Royals on April 13

“A lot of responsibility on Rishabh Pant”

Pathan further underlined the weight of expectations on Pant this season, pointing out that the wicketkeeper-batter’s leadership and performances will be crucial to the team’s qualification hopes.

"There will be a lot of responsibility on Rishabh Pant. We will have to see what he does to get this team qualified. Whatever I have seen of him so far, he looks to be more fit and focused. He has spent 4-5 days with Yuvraj Singh as well. Now we will have to see how he brings those learnings onto the field. He always seemed to be under pressure last year. It seemed that he was not enjoying cricket. He needs to enjoy cricket," Pathan said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.