India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a score of 3-1 in the 2024–25 tournament, ultimately losing the series after nearly ten years away. Although Rishabh Pant scored 255 runs in nine innings, he finished as his team’s fourth-highest run scorer. However, the latest series was very different from the incredible experience he had in 2020–21.
In a recent conversation, former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar gave Rishabh Pant performances in the 2020–21 trip Down Under credit. But he thought that this time the wicketkeeper-batter fell short.
In the most recent tour, which took place in 2020–21, he was the most significant difference. Because of his batting performance in Sydney and Gabba, the Indian team won the most recent series. Because he has scored runs on such pitches, the expectations will undoubtedly be high given the way he put the Australian bowlers on the defensive in Sydney and Brisbane. In an interview on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “The idea was that he should have scored good runs once he got back there.”
I am considering recuperating as a batter-wicketkeeper: Irfan Pathan
In defence of Pant’s performances, Irfan Pathan explained that he gave it his all because he had just returned from an extended injury layoff. In Test matches away from home, he added, India should favour batting Pant at number six rather than number five.
You’ll also need to observe that he healed from his injury after a very long period. He will then play Test cricket in Australia, and we only expect him to perform in that manner,” Irfan said.
If you bat after keeping for 100 overs and two wickets go early, which were falling often, you don’t have time to recover. That’s the difference between starting at No. 5 and No. 6 on such pitches. Because of this, there was debate about whether Rishabh Pant should bat at number six exclusively, particularly when playing abroad. It’s not just about technique; he possesses it. In Sydney, he risked his life in the first innings and hit the ball over the boundary in the second. He’s got the ideal game for number five, but I’m considering a comeback as a wicketkeeper-batter,” he thought.
The five-game series against England following the Indian Premier League and the Champions Trophy will be India’s next red-ball assignment. It’ll be interesting to see what role Pant plays on that tour.
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