Rishabh Pant cleared all doubts over his fitness in red-ball cricket after scoring a splendid ton in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Despite KL Rahul in the playing XI, Pant did the glovework for the team and is expected to do the same in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Pant has been referred to as the “ideal wicketkeeper” by former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell, as India prepares to tour Australia for the five-match Test series in November. In the Chennai Test match against Bangladesh, Pant was a whirlwind player. Even though he was only involved in one dismissal, his wicketkeeping in the Duleep Trophy 2024 was excellent.
Pant is the perfect keeper for Australian circumstances if he can play at the peak of his abilities. Standing back is what’s needed in Australia if he can maintain his agile performance. A keeper who can expertly cover a lot of ground on both sides of the wicket is required. In his column, Chappell stated that a keeper who satisfies those conditions not only enhances the team’s fielding but also permits the slip fielders to spread out and cover more ground.
Ian Chappell: Rishabh Pants’ ability to hold up to stumps has significantly increased
Pant was involved in a catastrophic vehicle accident in December 2022, and among his many injuries was a ligament tear. When he returned to action for the 2024 Indian Premier League, his wicketkeeping came under heavy criticism after the surgery. Pant’s ability to keep wickets against spinners was seriously questioned, but Chappell has reassured him that he is a skilled gloveman.
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Pant responded to coach Ravi Shastri’s ultimatum by becoming much more adept at stepping up to the stumps before to his terrible accident. Pant’s commitment to put in a lot of effort was evident in his progression from a questionable gloveman against spinners to a very excellent gloveman standing up to the stumps, the man continued.