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Rishabh Pant past performances in Test cricket made his inclusion in the Indian playing eleven a given once he was available. Some might have wondered why he deserved his spot specially with strong displays from Dhruv Jurel and KL Rahul but Pant quickly reminded everyone of his value in India 280 run a victory over for a Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai.
In the first innings Pant scored 39 runs off 52 balls when India desperately needed a partnership helping stabilize the innings as Bangladesh capitalized on favorable conditions. He then made a spectacular 109 off 128 balls in the second innings forming a crucial 167-run partnership with Shubman Gill. This century marked Pant’s sixth in just 34 Tests and it’s worth noting that he has been out in the 90s nine out of eleven times after scoring a half-century.
At just 26 years old Pant has amassed 2,419 runs in his Test career at an average of 44.79. His strike rate of 74.11 highlights his aggressive style making him a destructive force when allowed to settle in at the crease. Despite his attacking approach Pant has proven to be more successful in Test cricket compared to limited-overs formats particularly T20s. His remarkable ability to perform under pressure reaffirms why he remains a key player for India in the longest format.
Rishabh Pant white-ball stats
Rishabh Pant position in the Test squad has been secure since his standout performances during India 2020/21 series win in Australia his spot in white-ball cricket remains less certain. In 76 T20 Internationals he has scored 1,209 runs averaging just 23.25 with a strike rate of 127.06. His ODI record is also modest with 871 runs from 31 matches at an average of 33.50 including one century and five half-centuries and a strike rate of 106.21. In T20Is he has managed only three half-centuries.
Pant has thrived in the Indian Premier League (IPL), amassing 3,248 runs at a striking rate of 148.93 highlighted by one century and 18 half-centuries. His impressive IPL performance showcases his potential leaving fans hopeful for his future in white-ball cricket.
Comparison to other big hitters
The difference in Rishabh Pant success in Test cricket compared to shorter formats might seem puzzling at first. a look at other big-hitting players from his era reveals that he isn’t alone in this trend. Virender Sehwag one of India most renowned aggressive batters exemplifies this. He averaged 49.34 in his Test career with a strike rate of 82.23 across 104 matches amassing 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries. In contrast his ODI average was lower at 35.03 although he boasted a high strike rate of 147.83 in T20s a format he played mostly towards the end of his career.
Chris Gayle had an average of 42.18 in Test cricket but only managed 37.83 in ODIs and 27.92 in T20Is, with a strike rate of 137.50. David Warner stands out slightly maintaining strong averages of 44.59 in Tests and 45.30 in ODIs. This pattern suggests that aggressive batters who establish themselves across formats often have better averages in Test cricket. It highlights a consistent trend among big hitters particularly those who emerged in the 21st century indicating that the longer format may favor their skill set more effectively than limited-overs formats.
Rishabh Pant IPL factfile
– Rishabh Pant was bought by DC at the 2016 IPL auction on the same day that he scored a century to seal India place in the Under-19 World Cup semi-final, and he has remained with them ever since.
– An attacking left-hand wicketkeeper-batter Pant made a name for himself with his audacious stroke play and daredevil approach. His best season with the bat was in IPL 2018. when he scored 684 runs at a strike rate of 173.60.
– In IPL 2019 Pant was DC second highest run-scorer – 488 at a strike rate of 162.66 – as they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
– Pant was named DC captain for IPL 2021. when Shreyas Iyer was injured and had led the team to the top of the points table at the halfway stage before the season was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. When the season resumed later in 2021, DC decided to continue with Pant as their captain.
– Pant returned to play IPL 2024 after recovering from severe injuries he suffered in a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. He was named captain of Delhi Capitals again after his return and back to his best made 446 runs in yet another middling season for the team.
Pant and Bumrah hold the key to India fortunes in Australia
India has an ideal lead-up to their tour of Australia starting with two Tests against Bangladesh followed by a tougher three-match series with New Zealand. The Winning both series is important but equally crucial is getting players into form while avoiding major injuries. Central to this plan are Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.
Pant return to the Test arena after a serious car accident is impressive. As a key wicketkeeper-batter his performance will significantly impact the team chances in Australia. His ability to bounce back and perform at his best is vital specially given his previous success during the 2020-21 tour. where he played crucial innings in both the SCG and Gabba Tests. Pant innovative and aggressive batting style adds depth to India strategy allowing for quick scoring when needed.
In terms of wicketkeeping Pant skills are essential for the Australian conditions. His agility and ability to stand back effectively will be crucial as good keepers in Australia need to cover a wide area to both sides of the wicket. This not only improve the team fielding but also allows slip fielders to position themselves more effectively.
Before his injury Pant made significant strides in his keeping particularly standing up to the stumps a change driven by a challenge from coach Ravi Shastri. His transformation from a questionable keeper against spinners to a reliable gloveman highlights his dedication to improvement. This echoes the words of legendary Australian keeper Rod Marsh, who emphasized the need for constant improvement. If you are the incumbent and you don’t improve then you are not thinking correctly. Pant progress exemplifies this mindset and is crucial for India success in Australia.
From the horses mouths
While it is a possible to analyze the technical adjustments players make in Test cricket. it’s more insightful to consider their personal philosophies about the game. Many aggressive players have a shared belief in the advantages of their approach in Tests. For instance David Warner often reflects on advice from Virender Sehwag during his early days with the Delhi Daredevils. Sehwag told him that in Test matches there less pressure to score quickly because the field is set to encourage runs. Warner said, All the fielders are around the bat and if the ball is in your zone you are going to hit it. You always respect the good ball but you must punish the bad one.
Travis Head echoes this sentiment stating that he finds T20 cricket to be the most challenging format. He explained, “In T20s, there is a pressure to score you are expected to strike at 130, 140 or 150. In contrast he feels that Test cricket is easier for him. If I’m not feeling great I can play slowly and if I’m on form I can accelerate. There are no limits on how I can approach it. From a playing perspective I enjoy Test cricket the most. While it’s technically challenging and demands adaptability the expectations in white-ball cricket are always present. This perspective highlights why aggressive players thrive in Test matches and embrace their unique approaches.
