India recently won the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia by a margin of 2-1, earning them a place in the final of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC). While India’s victory was impressive, it was evident that they missed the presence of their star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant during the series. Pant’s absence is expected to be felt during the WTC final against Australia on June 7 at the Kia Oval Stadium in London.
One of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen in Test history – Rishabh Pant. pic.twitter.com/Ma368gwImy
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 1, 2022
Pant has not only been India’s most consistent batsman in Test cricket but is also known for his entertaining, fearless batting style. Some have also compared him with former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. However, Sehwag rejected such comparisons and claimed that there is a significant difference in the playing styles of the two players. Sehwag’s ability to score big, with scores of 250-300, sets him apart from Pant, who is yet to achieve such a feat. Sehwag had the distinction of scoring two triple centuries in his career and scored almost a third of his runs, but was dismissed for 293.
“I don’t think there is anyone in the Indian team who bats like me. The two players that come to my mind are Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. I think Rishabh Pant is a little closer.” The way I used to bat in Test cricket, I was satisfied with 90-100, but I used to score 200, 250 and 300 and then be satisfied. If he takes his game to that level, I think he can entertain the fans as well. More,” Sehwag said on News18.
Pant has been absent from the game since December, due to his involvement in a near-fatal car accident that resulted in multiple injuries and forced him to undergo knee surgery. The 25-year-old is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will miss the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I used to play tennis ball cricket where my mindset was to hit more runs through boundaries. I played with the same template in international cricket and calculated how many boundaries I needed to score a century. If I hit 90 And to reach 100 if I take 10 balls then the opposition has 10 balls to get me out which is why I used to go for boundaries and hit them to stop me from reaching the triple figure-mark Gave only two balls. The strike percentage rate dropped from 100 to 200,” Sehwag said.
Explaining his aggressive style of batting, Sehwag said that it started with his experience playing tennis ball cricket, which he brought to international cricket. While there are similarities in the attacking styles of Pant and Sehwag, it is clear that each player has unique strengths and differences in their approach towards the game.
Lastly, while India’s recent wins were impressive, Rishabh Pant’s absence was felt during the series. His absence is also expected to be felt during the WTC final against Australia. While comparisons have been made between Pant and Sehwag, it is clear that each player has a unique style and strength, making them both great players in their own right.