Darren Gough Feels Every Player Will Bat Like Hardik Pandya And Rishabh Pant In 10 Years' Time

Former England seamer Darren Gough believes that the current crop of Indian youngsters are the trendsetters for how cricket would take place in the next decade. Darren Gough’s opinion stemmed from India’s recent exploits in the ODI series victory against England. Gough believes that every cricketer will play fearlessly like the men in blue did.

Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant were decisive to India’s victory in the third ODI against England as they counterattacked with a whirlwind stand even after losing wickets in a heap. The duo plundered big hits at will after India lost Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and KL Rahul as England reduced them to 157-4 after being 103-0. Eventually, India reached 329 and won by seven runs.

Darren Gough requested the fans to get used to the styles of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant since every player will likely bat the same way the next decade. The 52-year old identified that one has seen Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root play as they build their innings slowly and cut loose when set. Nevertheless, Gough feels that the future is already here and India’s youngsters have shown the way.

“In 10 years’ time, every player is going to play like that – Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya. So you better get used to it. That’s how everyone is going to play. You’ve seen the players – your Smith, Williamson, Root, who played according to the situation in certain extend… build an innings and expand right at the end with their strike rate. But the future is already here – Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer… all these guys, that’s the way everyone is going to play in 15 years’ time. Some fantastic batting,” Gough told Talksport.

India were disappointed when they went off with that score of 329: Darren Gough

Darren Gough pointed out even though India might have felt disappointed with 329, the way Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya was incredible as there were no nerves. The Yorkshire-born former seamer observed that Pant kept the unorthodox shots coming, while Pandya set a strong base, backing himself to clear the stadium.

“India were disappointed when they went off with that score (329). That partnership between Pant and Pandya was so crucial for India, but the way they kept going was incredible. There were no nerves. Pant was still trying to sweep doing the ‘Dil Scoop’ over his head, or stepping across the stumps and flicking over square leg, Hardik Pandya hitting sixes galore… I mean, Pandya just stands still, strong base and backs himself to clear the future. The future… right there,” he added.

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