Rishabh Pant is ideal keeper for India in Australian conditions: Ian Chappell

Rishabh Pant cleared all doubts over his fitness in red-ball cricket after scoring a splendid ton in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Despite KL Rahul in the playing XI, Pant did the glovework for the team and is expected to do the same in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

As India brace to tour Australia in November for the five-match Test series, former Australia cricketer Ian Chappell has termed Pant as the "ideal wicketkeeper". Pant was mercurial on the field against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test. Though he was part of only one dismissal, he was impressive with his wicketkeeping in the Duleep Trophy 2024.

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“If Pant can perform at his best, he’s the ideal keeper for Australian conditions. If he’s able to continue with his agile performance standing back, that is what is required in Australia. You need a keeper who capably covers a lot of territory to both sides of the wicket. Any keeper who fulfills those requirements not only improves the team’s fielding but also allows the slip fielders to spread wider to cover extra territory,” Chappell wrote in his ESPNcricinfo Column.

Pant’s keeping standing up to stumps drastically improved: Ian Chappell

Pant had a ligament tear as one of many injuries due to a horrific car accident in December 2022. Subsequently, after the surgery, his wicketkeeping fell under intense scrutiny when he was back on the field for IPL 2024. His keeping behind the wickets to spinners was highly doubted, but Chappell has assured Pant to be a progressed gloveman. 

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“Pant’s keeping standing up to the stumps drastically improved before his serious injury, following an ultimatum from coach Ravi Shastri. The fact that Pant progressed from being a dubious keeper against spinners to a very good gloveman standing up to the stumps, admirably displayed his willingness to work hard,” he added.