Rishabh Pant is a counter attacker, India will really miss him against Australia: Ian Chappell

Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell believes that India will definitely miss the services of wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting February 9 in Nagpur.

He mentioned that the southpaw is capable of playing counter-attacking shots and with that, can put any opponent under pressure and that is what Rohit Sharma and company will miss in the four-match series against Australia at home.

Notably, the 25-year-old was at his meticulous best in the last edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the fourth and final match at the Gabba, Pant hit 89* off 138 deliveries to help India win the Test and secure a historic Test series on Australian soil. Thus, Chappell said that Pant's presence would have given sleepless nights to the visiting side this time but his absence will definitely make the Aussies happy.

“India are really going to miss Rishabh Pant. The Australians will be happy. He is a counter attacker, the guys who keep you awake are guys who score quickly and change the game in one session. Pant was one such player,” Chappell said during an interaction on Star Sports.

That theory is rubbish: Chappell dismisses the idea of playing Ashton Agar against India

The Aussie legend also advised the team management to carefully think about Ashton Agar’s selection in the playing XI. He said that the team should not get carried away by the left and right-hand combination and thus, should bench him as the cricketer is not among two of the best spinners in Australia at the moment. 

“Australia should not get carried away by left and right combination. India have got one in Ashwin and Jadeja who are both very good bowlers. Agar is a guy, who averages 40. If he is picked for few runs down the order, there would be a temptation to play him as Cameron Green can't bowl.

But that theory is rubbish. If Agar is not among your two best spinners, then don't pick him. Bowlers are there to pick wickets. It is up to batters to get runs,” said Chappell.

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