A destructive batsman, Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books once again when he posted a century off just 32 balls for Delhi against Himachal in India’s domestic Zonal T20 tournament. His hundred is the fastest in the T20 format by an Indian and the second fastest in the world behind Chris Gayle, who scored off 30 balls. Recalling the innings, the Delhi batsman said, “It was like I bat every day. Today, I came in with a bit more positive mindset. I was thinking that I have to bat long and score big. The wicket was good for batting. I started off normally. I even left two-three balls when I got a good delivery, but then I was middling the ball well and runs began to flow and I capitalised on that. I felt I had played 40-45 balls but later came to know that I had played 32 balls only for the hundred.” This was the first century of the 2017-18 season for Pant, who has been gaining a reputation for his prolific run scoring. Although he had led Delhi into the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 season as the youngest captain, the three-figure mark had eluded the lad who had piled on runs including a triple ton in the 2016-17 season. Reflecting on the significance of the century he said, “(Yes) It is my first century of the season. (While) every run that I score is important, I have been trying to score big for some time (now). I was only getting to 30/40/50/60 runs but wasn’t getting a big score. It was going on for some time like that. I was batting well but wasn’t able to convert it into big scores so that is what I was trying to do; to convert the knock into a big one and that happened today.” Asked about finding his name once again in the record books, Pant remarked, “Obviously, I felt good about it when I came to know, you always do, when that happens. Last season (2016-17 season) too, I had scored the fastest first-class hundred in India and then this year (2017-18 season) in T20; so yes, it feels good to see your name in the record books. But one doesn’t play for records. I try to perform and while doing that records happen.... like Virat bhai (Kohli) keeps scoring (I try to do the same). Records happen if you keep scoring, so at the end of the day, if you are scoring runs then everything is good.” After finishing as runners-up in Ranji Trophy 2017-18, Delhi’s good run from the longest format has continued into the shortest format. They are currently at the top of their Group table and within sniffing distance of making it to the Syed Mushtaq Ali 2017-18 Super League. Speaking about his role in the team’s fortunes, Pant said, “In the beginning I wasn’t doing too well, but that is okay. Sometimes you have to keep your performance aside and think about your team. The team is doing well and that’s what matters. I look to contribute in any way I can. If the batting isn’t coming off well then take a good catch while fielding or help to get a run out and try to contribute in whatever way possible. When the team wins 11 people are happy when you do well then only you are happy; so according to me, you should try to see that everyone is happy. And when everyone is happy is when I feel good.” Asked what has helped him pull up his performance, Pant replied, “I had gone to my club (Sonnet Club) and met my coach and he told me a couple of things and I think that has helped. It was about my technique. Tarak (Sinha) sir and Devender sir ... they always help. I think when I practice there (with them at the club) and come (to play) I get a different kind of confidence that I will definitely do well. I think that is what has helped.” When asked what it feels like to join the ranks of Rohit Sharma, who recently scored a hundred off 35 balls against Sri Lanka (the fastest by an Indian in international cricket and joint fastest along with David Miller) and Chris Gayle who holds the record for the fastest T20 ton, Pant said, “It feels good, but I haven’t thought much about it yet. I believe that one should keep on performing and not think about what you have done.” Pant remained unbeaten on 116 off 38 balls as he powered Delhi to a ten-wicket win while chasing 145 against Himachal Pradesh.