Rest of India skipper Rishabh Pant on Wednesday said he remains focused on making the most of every opportunity as he prepares for the Irani Cup clash against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. The five-day match is scheduled to begin on Thursday at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, with Pant using the contest to build his red-ball rhythm. His comments came after he was left out of India's ODI squad for the ongoing home series against the West Indies.

Pant said he prefers to focus on the game in front of him rather than dwell on selection discussions. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he stressed the importance of giving his best whenever an opportunity comes his way. "For me, it's very simple. Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best," Pant said, underlining his approach to dealing with the ups and downs of an international career.

The wicketkeeper-batter also reflected on the challenges he has faced during his career, including the lengthy rehabilitation period following his December 2022 car crash. Pant said the experience reinforced the importance of keeping things simple, while international cricket continues to demand hard work, mental strength and a willingness to keep learning and improving.

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Pant acknowledged that long rehabilitation can be frustrating but said developing the right mindset is important when dealing with challenges in international cricket. He credited the people around him for helping provide guidance during difficult periods and said maintaining a consistent approach has remained central to his career. The Irani Cup gives him a competitive red-ball assignment before the domestic season progresses.

The BCCI had named Pant captain of the Rest of India squad after leaving him out of the ODI team for the West Indies series. Sarfaraz Khan is his deputy, while the squad includes several players who featured prominently in domestic cricket last season.

The Irani Cup fixture also marks a return to Srinagar for the prestigious domestic contest, with Jammu and Kashmir appearing after winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title in the 2025-26 season. Pant's immediate focus, however, remains on the five-day game and using the opportunity to regain rhythm in red-ball cricket.

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