Rishabh Pant made a strong return to Test cricket in the series opener against Bangladesh in Chennai. This was his first red-ball game since his car accident in December 2022. Earlier this year, he was also part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, after making his comeback to competitive cricket through the IPL. Pant’s fearless and entertaining style earned him high praise from former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist.
Pant’s Test Comeback
Pant played in the first Test of the series against Bangladesh, marking his return to red-ball cricket after over a year. He had spent a long time in rehab and underwent multiple surgeries following his car accident. Earlier this year, Pant rejoined the cricketing world by playing in the IPL, followed by his participation in India’s T20 World Cup win and the Duleep Trophy, which further strengthened his comeback to Test cricket.
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Adam Gilchrist’s Praise
Adam Gilchrist, one of Australia’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen, gave Rishabh Pant a big thumbs-up for his “fearless” and “fun” approach to the game. Pant’s attacking batting style reminds many of Gilchrist, who was known for his aggressive play. However, Gilchrist noted that Pant is even more aggressive at times.
“He attacks a bit more than I did,” Gilchrist said on a podcast, a clip of which has been widely shared on social media. “I played aggressively, but Rishabh looks fearless. He also knows when to slow down and handle pressure. He’s a top-class player.“
A True Entertainer
Gilchrist also compared Pant to former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, saying that both brought a unique form of entertainment to cricket. He emphasized that Pant’s style is the kind of cricket people pay to watch.
“He’s a player who draws the crowd. I’d happily pay to watch him play. He’s a winner, a survivor, and a class act. He also knows how to mix seriousness with fun, which makes him even more special,” added Gilchrist.
Pant scored 39 runs in his first Test innings after his return, signaling his determination and skill in the longest format of the game.
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