Rishabh Pant “changed the course” of three Test matches with his fearless batting approach, something which most players aren’t able to achieve in their entire career.
Rishabh Pant’s 97 nearly turned the Sydney Test in India’s favour which India managed to draw while his 89 not out at Brisbane won them the series Down Under. Then he hit a hundred under pressure against England in Ahmedabad to clinch India’s spot in the World Test Championship final.
Rishabh Pant Produced 3 Innings Changing Match Course Which Most Can’t Do In Career: Ian Chappell
Former Australia captain, Ian Chappell heaped rich praise on Rishabh Pant for his ‘mature counterattacking’ knocks he played in Sydney, Brisbane, and in Ahmedabad, with India winning the last two out of those. The left-hander not only avoided a loss but put the opposition on the backfoot. In a space of a few Tests, he has not only cemented himself in the Test side but has also made a comeback in the limited-overs team.
“Pant has produced three innings that changed the course of a Test with mature counter-attacking when the team was in trouble. Most players don’t contribute that many in a career,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPN Cricinfo.
Ian Chappell also wrote that Rishabh Pant, once criticized for his not-so-great glovework, was commendable during the four-Test matches.
“Not content with just batting heroics, Pant has also evolved as a keeper when standing up to the spinners, going from fumbling to fabulous in the space of a few weeks,” he wrote.
Ian Chappell feels the difference between the two sides was Rishabh Pant’s daredevilry which had the Indian team management’s mandate, something that young English players like Dom Bess and Ollie Pope didn’t have.
“Pant is a popular player in the Indian side and his spirit epitomizes the team’s confident, attacking approach to the game. England has players who could provide a similar stimulus to their team. What they lack is a conducive environment.”
Rishabh Pant, who has put together a string of impressive performances for India since the Test series against Australia, scoring four fifties and one century in the last seven Tests, played the first T20I at Ahmedabad on Friday, 12th March where he scored 21 off 23 balls including 2 fours and a six.
“The two young Englishmen became more tentative as the series progressed. Pope was keen to use his feet, but as his back foot continually craved the safety of the crease, it was obvious he was worried about being left stranded by the spinners.”
“Bess appeared to be deflated by his omission from the Test team. With his confidence severely diminished, he bowled in the final Test, hoping that the ball would land on a good length rather than being confident of its destination,” the cut-throat Australian was severe in his criticism of team management’s philosophies.
The youngster Rishabh Pant has been working a lot on his keeping skills especially on the Indian wickets and that has reflected in second India vs England Test match. On the Day 4 morning, he displayed some excellent glovework to inflict the stumping of England batsman Daniel Lawrence off Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling. In the first innings, he took a couple of brilliant one-handed catches to dismiss Ollie Pope and Jack Leach.
Ian Chappell Liked Rishabh Pant’s Approach
What Ian Chappell liked about Rishabh Pant was how took risks but also blended them with aggression.
“Meanwhile, Pant was scared of… well, nothing actually. The chirpy Indian keeper, armed with a supremely confident disposition, played each innings balancing aggression with appropriate caution. His approach of “see the ball and hit it” is a simple one but it’s fortified by the common-sense approach of always looking for opportunities to score.”
The difference between the two sides was whereas Indian batsmen tried to find ways to score, Englishmen were content by merely surviving.
“In most cases this sums up the difference between India and England’s batting. The home side was constantly thinking about ways to score, while the visitors were preoccupied with survival,” he added.
The 77-year-old also credits the leadership group comprising the coach, captain, and vice-captain for creating a positive environment for the youngster, who not long ago struggled with form and fitness.