“If India are 500/3 in a Test match against Australia, Rishabh Pant can tonk the ball”: Former player gives his verdict on wicket-keeper’s failures in BGT 2024-25
India were expecting Rishabh Pant to replicate his previous series performance against Australia in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. However, the southpaw has been in no way near to his best so far in the three Tests Down Under. He is under-performing with the bat, which has been one of the main reasons behind the team’s low scores. Barring 487/6 declared in the second innings of the first Test, India have registered scores of 150, 180, 175 and 260 in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The young batter is taking on the bowlers from the first ball of his innings, and his repeated attempts to play high-risk cricket have resulted in his downfall. With the series tied 1-1, the trophy holders would need better performance from Pant in Melbourne and Sydney. India could have been on the losing side at the Gabba if rain had not helped the team.
Australia were in the driving seat after scoring 445 runs in their first innings, but multiple rain breaks didn’t give them time to register a win.
Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden, who are fans of Pant’s style, want him to exercise caution for the few overs after coming to the crease.
‘Rishabh Pant is a good cricketer, but Australians have done their homework smartly against him. They are bringing the ball in and bowling at a particular length that is leading to the edges of his bat. If Pant can spend some time in the middle and then go for his strokes, that would be good for him. If the Indian team is at 500/3 in a match, he can tonk the ball without thinking about anything else,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
Hayden agreed with the former player, saying Pant will have to respect the conditions and avoid playing big shots from the start.
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