Feel Rishabh Pant Had A Bit More X-Factor In Australian Conditions: Brad Hogg

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg was amongst the ones to raise eyebrows on India’s selection of Wriddhiman Saha as their gloveman ahead of Rishabh Pant for the first Test against Australia. Despite a hundred in the second warm-up and a burgeoning record with the batting record in Australia, India chose Wriddhiman Saha, who is superior behind the stumps. Brad Hogg feels that Rishabh Pant was the one with the X-factor in Australia.

Rishabh Pant made a solid case for his inclusion in the playing eleven for the first Test in Adelaide by slamming a 73-ball hundred in the second practice match against Australia A in Sydney. The left-hander smashed a ton in 73 balls to remain unbeaten in 73. In that particular fixture, he also performed well behind the stumps, keeping the bowlers motivated. Yet, captain Virat Kohli and the management opted for Saha ahead of Pant for the pink-ball Test.

Rishabh Pant also played an integral role in India’s first series victory in Test cricket in Australia back in 2018-19. The 22-year old, who kept wickets, hammered 350 runs in four Tests at 58.33 with a hundred in Sydney while also taking 20 catches. Brad Hogg took to his official Twitter handle pointed out the same and felt there is more X-factor in choosing Pant over Saha. Hogg opined that the visitors could be worried about his keeping skills and did not opt for him.

Below is Brad Hogg’s tweet:

Saha in front of Pant, interesting choice when Pant was extremely successful last trip with the bat. Just felt Pant had a bit more X factor in Auusi conditions. Must be worried with his keeping. #IndvAus #cricket

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 17, 2020

India, who chose to bat first after winning the toss in Adelaide, could have made another selection blunder by picking Prithvi Shaw. Prithvi Shaw, who opened the innings, perished in the second ball for a duck to Mitchell Starc when he inside-edged one on to the stumps. Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal weathered the storm reasonably well to keep the visitors afloat in the opening Test of an enthralling four-match rubber.

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