Pant scored 89* off 138 deliveries in the fourth and final game at the Gabba to help India win the Test and clinch a record Test series on Australian soil.
In the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on February 9 in Nagpur, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant’s talents are expected to be greatly missed by India, according to former Australia captain Ian Chappell.
In the four-match series against Australia at home, Rohit Sharma and company will be without the southpaw, who is capable of playing counterattacking shots and putting any opponent under strain.
Notably, in the most recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy competition, the 25-year-old was at his methodical best. Pant scored 89* off 138 deliveries in the fourth and final game at the Gabba to help India win the Test and clinch a record Test series on Australian soil. Thus, according to Chappell, Pant’s presence would have caused the visiting team to lose sleep this time, but his absence will undoubtedly make the Australians delighted.
“India is going to miss Rishabh Pant a lot. It will make the Australians pleased. He is a counter attacker; players who score quickly and completely turn the tide of a game are the ones that keep you up at night. Pant was one of these players, according to Chappell in a Star Sports interview.
That theory is unfounded: The notion of playing Ashton Agar against India is rejected by Chappell.
The Australian icon also suggested that Ashton Agar’s inclusion in the starting lineup be given careful consideration by the team’s management. He advised the squad to sit him because the bowler is not currently one of Australia’s top two spinners in order to avoid getting carried away by the left and right hand combo.
“Australia shouldn’t let the left-right combo get out of hand. India has two highly talented bowlers in Ashwin and Jadeja. Agar is a man that typically weighs 40. There would be a temptation to play him if he were selected for a few runs lower in the order because Cameron Green is unable to bowl.
However, that theory is false. Picking Agar is not advised if he is not one of your top two spinners. The purpose of bowlers is to take wickets. “Batters must score runs,” remarked Chappell.