'Respect the first half an hour' - Sunil Gavaskar's advice to Rishabh Pant ahead of Boxing Day Test

Rishabh Pant has not taken the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 by storm as yet but Indian fans are hoping to see the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter returning to form in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 27-year-old has scored 96 runs from five innings at an average of 19.20 so far in the first three Tests.

Pant has established himself as a batter who likes to take the attack to the bowlers from the outset. However, this ploy has sometimes led to his downfall. The legendary Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Pant should show some respect to the conditions, especially during the first half an hour of his innings before playing the extravagant shots.

"What Rishabh Pant has to do, like everybody else, respect the first half an hour; respect a little bit when he gets in there, whatever the position, unless, of course, India is 525 for 3; then he can tee off," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Also Read: Reports: Rohit Sharma likely to open in Boxing Day Test

While talking about the challenges the Australian bowlers might pose, Gavaskar warned Pant against the balls that angle across his body.

"They get the ball to angle across. Pat Cummins and even (Josh) Hazlewood give him a little bit of a problem; Scott Boland will give him a little bit of a problem because Boland bowls around that area as well," Gavaskar stated.

Rishabh Pant should have no fear in these conditions: Matthew Hayden

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden spoke about his admiration for Pant and said that the batter should adopt a fearless approach to throw counter-punches at the home side.

"I have always been a fan of his. He's kind of a different cheese; there is no doubt about it. And I would like to just see him explore that as well because he should be coming in a situation where, as I mentioned before, there are lots of runs; and if so, that's a perfect scenario for him to be (in)," Hayden said.

"But it's also the perfect scenario for Team India. A little bit like Rohit Sharma, I think we haven't seen some counter-punching efforts from Rishabh, but he should have no fear in these conditions. I think in the absence of fear comes a great opportunity for Rishabh and Team India," he added.