VVS Laxman, former Indian batsman has backed wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant’s batting approach after he lost his wicket after a wonderful 88-ball 91 on Day 3.
With the wickets of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane by Dom Bess, India were reduced at one stage to 71/4 after lunch. But at Tea, India were on 154/4 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant both having scored their respective fifties. Rishabh Pant’s batting approach had rubbed off on Cheteshwar Pujara as well and at one point, the pressure had shifted on the England bowlers.
VVS Laxman: Rishabh Pant Knows Which Line To Attack And Which Line To Play Defensively
Even after Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal, after the two added 119 runs to their 5th wicket stand, Rishabh Pant didn’t let the momentum fall and was trying to build a steady partnership with Washington Sundar. However, Rishabh Pant gave away his wicket as soon as he entered the nervous nineties.
“I think that is the change we saw in Rishabh Pant’s batting in the 4th innings of the Brisbane Test. He played a match-winning knock. He has become more mature, he is aware of his shortcomings.
“He was also aware of the game plan of the opposition bowler. He knows which line to attack and which line to play defensively. Even though he got out on 91, that shot was a high-percentage shot. Even though the fielders are back, Pant backs his ability and strength,” VVS Laxman said on Star Sports after day’s play.
But former India batsman VVS Laxman has backed the match-winning youngster and said that his fearless batting approach is good in building the team’s momentum. VVS Laxman called Rishabh Pant’s 88-ball 91 an innings mixed with caution and aggression.
VVS Laxman: Team Management Backing Rishabh Pant’s Fearless Approach
Rishabh Pant now has 3 successive scores in nervous 80s-90s as he scored 97 in Sydney, 89* in Brisbane and 91 in Chennai. He scored 274 runs in 3 Tests in Australia averaging 68.5.
“One good thing with Pant’s approach is that the momentum of the game changes, all close-in fielders around the bat moved to catching position or on the boundary line. That’s the reason why Pujara got benefitted and we got a lot more boundaries.
“That’s an approach which Rishabh Pant has taken and we have to back it. I am sure the team management is backing his approach, now and then he can play a loose shot and get out but overall, I thought it was a mature innings. It was an innings mixed with caution and aggression,” he added.
