Pant’s Swing, Pant’s Style—And Sometimes, Pant’s Bat in the Air

We’ve all seen Rishabh Pant do ridiculous things on a cricket field — reverse scoops, one-handed sixes, mad dashes. But there’s one quirk that keeps popping up like an uninvited guest: his bat flying out of his hands mid-shot. And not once or twice — this has become a signature Pant moment. Ahead of the third Test against England at Lord’s, he finally addressed it with a shrug and a smile: “It just happens with me, man.” Classic Pant, right? But as funny as it sounds, there’s more to unpack here than just sweaty palms and wild swings.

Controlled Recklessness: Pant’s Cricketing Jazz

Rishabh Pant plays cricket like a beautiful storm — wild, loud, and completely unforgettable. One minute he blocks the ball; the next he is charging down the track, unleashing a lofted drive, smashing a spinner into the air, and the crowd. Somewhere in between, his bat decides it no longer wishes to be a part of that shot.

Pant’s response when asked about it? “I don’t think about it. It just happens when I’m in the moment.” That’s Pant in a nutshell — instinct over calculation. And while this sounds carefree (and a bit reckless), it actually offers a peek into his mindset. He’s not trying to hold back. He plays cricket like jazz — improvised, emotional, and sometimes unpredictable.

But it’s not just flair. Pant’s tendency to lose the bat comes from the sheer torque he puts into his shots. The grip strength, sweaty gloves, maybe even a bit of overswing — they all contribute. In Edgbaston, it cost him his wicket in the second innings. And yet, he followed it up with a 58-ball 65 that left England’s bowlers scratching their heads.

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Watching from the Dugout: How Pant Plans Before the Chaos

What’s even more fascinating is that Rishabh Pant does prepare — in his own unorthodox way. When Dinesh Karthik caught up with him before the Lord’s Test, he asked how Pant decides when to go hard and when to defend. His answer? He watches from the dugout, observes how bowlers are attacking, and makes a “generalized plan.” Once he gets in, it’s all about adjusting on the fly.

This clearly tells us that Pant is not a see-ball-hit-ball player. There’s a cognitive element. Off the field, he processes information, and then processes that information at a crazy speed when out in the middle. This element of absorption of information is very different about him. It doesn’t matter if it is a green top in Leeds or a dust bowl at Lord’s, he does not seem to suffer any delay in getting underway.

And maybe, just this mindset is also why he occasionally lets go of the bat. In trying to flow with the game, he doesn’t overcorrect. He doesn’t grip harder just to avoid mistakes. He stays in his zone — one where the bat might fly, but the ball flies further.

The Pant Paradox: Reckless? Or Just Real?

Some might call it careless. Others are fearless. The truth lies somewhere in between. Pant’s approach can frustrate purists, but modern cricket needs players who break the mold. His ability to switch gears, take risks, and turn matches around — even after something as bizarre as losing his bat — is what makes him box-office.

Take his record in England for example: twin centuries in the first Test at Headingley and that punchy half-century at Edgbaston. The guy isn’t just swinging blindly; he’s delivering results. And as the third Test at Lord’s unfolds, fans are once again glued to their screens — not just to see how many runs he scores, but how many times his bat might go flying again.