Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has stated that most players don’t contribute in a career what Rishabh Pant has produced in three innings. Pant has been at his best in the last two-Test series against Australia and England and has delivered the goods.
Pant had scored a blistering knock of 97 runs in the Sydney Test match and even gave a glimmer of hope to Team India to chase down the improbable target. However, Pant couldn’t take the team across the line but played a key role in helping the team in saving the Test match.
Subsequently, Pant played another whirlwind knock of 89 runs in the historic Brisbane Test and took the team to a memorable win. The combative batsman scored a total of 274 runs in the three Test matches and top-scored for the visitors on the Tour Down Under.
The southpaw was able to carry the same form in the Test series against England. The combative batsman scored a brilliant counter-attacking knock of 101 runs in the fourth Test match. Pant amassed 270 runs in the four-Test matches at an impressive average of 54 and he has a revelation for the Indian team with his aggressive batting.
Chappell wrote for ESPN Cricinfo, “Rishabh Pant has produced three innings that changed the course of a Test with mature counterattacking when the team was in trouble. Most players don’t contribute that many in a career.”
“Pant was read the riot act in Australia when he turned up overweight. He then “worked his backside off”, according to the coach, and was reinstated in the team after the Indian debacle at Adelaide Oval. What followed has been a revelation.”
Chappell added that Pant backed his ‘see the ball, hit the ball’ approach but he played maturely. Pant has shown the skills to turn the match on its with his attacking batting and he has grown in confidence in the last four months.
Furthermore, Pant has drastically improved his wicket-keeping and the results are palpable. The youngster from Delhi has lost some weight and the results have been fruitful for him. Pant has amassed 1358 runs in 20 Test matches at an impressive average of 45.3.
After impressive performances in the Test matches, Pant will like to grab his chances in the limited-overs format.