Rishabh Pant is Revolutionizing Cricket, Declares Greg Chappell

Former India coach Greg Chappell believes Rishabh Pant is changing the game of cricket with his unconventional and aggressive batting style. Chappell praised Pant's match-winning capabilities, noting his near success at Headingley.

Rishabh Pant's centuries couldn't save India from a Headingley Test defeat. © AFP

Despite India's loss at Headingley, Pant's remarkable performance, including scoring centuries in both innings, highlighted his ability to shift the momentum of a match.

Chappell emphasized the significance of Pant's rapid scoring rate, stating, "The beauty of it is that he gets his runs at a very fast rate, which gives you time to win cricket matches." He lauded Pant's "phenomenal performance," observing that his shots often defy traditional coaching manuals. "He is reinventing the game as a batsman," Chappell added.

Pant achieved a milestone by becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter, after Andy Flower, to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match.

Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai, Chappell commented on the influence of modern technology and bat design on Pant's play, acknowledging the possibility of shots that were previously unfeasible. He added, "But man, he's exciting to watch. You never quite know what to expect from the first ball at any stage...it keeps the opposition on their toes."

Drawing parallels with Adam Gilchrist, another prominent wicketkeeper, Chappell acknowledged Pant's impact: "What an exciting cricketer, what a player to have on your team. ...he reminded me very much of Adam Gilchrist. You know the difference that it can make to a team to have a wicketkeeper that can bat at that level and score runs quickly."

Chappell also shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill's captaincy debut, noting, "It was a terrific Test match...Shubman Gill had a great start to his career as a Test match captain." He believes that Gill will gain valuable experience and improve as a captain with time. He added, "I think he made a very good start as captain."