Rishabh Pant Reminds Me Of Adam Gilchrist: Australian Legend Lavishes Praise On Indian Wicket-keeper

Former Australia legend, Glenn McGrath has likened Indian wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant to former Australian wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist. McGrath says that Pant batting style – left-handed, attacking lower-order wicket-keeper batsman – reminds him of his former teammate.

McGrath opined that Pant is audacious and likes to play his shots much like Gilchrist. The former pacer points out that both the left-handers remain busy during their stray at the crease.

Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Glenn McGrath said, “Rishabh Pant reminds me of Adam Gilchrist as he plays. Always he playing shots and is never afraid to play any shot. If you see them at the crease, they always keep doing something.”

Rishabh Pant plays a vital cameo in the second Test but throws it away again

Pant, who was omitted from the limited-overs squad against Australia, made his maiden appearance of the tour in the ongoing Boxing Day Test after being out of favour for Wriddhiman Saha in Adelaide. Rishabh Pant came in at a tricky situation when India were 4 down at the score of 116- still 79 behind Australia’s total.

However, the 23-year-old wasn’t going to be bogged down by the pressure. He played his shots and took the attack to Nathan Lyon and the Aussie pacers. With Rahane standing firm at the other end, Pant raced to 29 off 40 deliveries. He was looking good and set for long innings, but trying to slash a Mitchell Starc delivery he edged it to the wicket-keeper, Tim Paine. India ended their innings with a healthy and probably a match-winning lead of 131 runs on the morning of the third day.

Pant was omitted from the Adelaide Test despite smashing a scintillating hundred in the warm-up match against Australia A preceding the first Test- as if being the only Indian keeper ever to record a Test ton in both England and Australia previously wasn’t enough.

With Saha failing to reach double digits in both innings in Adelaide, finally, Pant was recalled in the eleven, having started over Saha in the Test series in New Zealand earlier in the year. While it is expected the Pant will play the remaining of the series as well, it would be interesting to see if the management retains the southpaw in the eleven for the home series against England next year.

Also Read: I Was Hurt By My Dismissal: Shubman Gill