'Most players don't contribute that many in a career' - Ian Chappell in awe of Rishabh Pant's recent Test exploits

Former Australian great Ian Chappell has praised Indian wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant on his recent success in the Tests series against Australia and England. The Delhi-based player has sailed India out of trouble in three Tests at crucial stages, all of which resulted in India making it to the ICC Test Championship Final. 

While praising the young batsman, Chappell said that all three innings have changed the course of the Test match. He also termed Pant’s style of batting as mature counterattacking. Chappell has referred to two of the knocks in Australia, 97 in Sydney and 89 not out in Brisbane, and the 101 against England in Ahmedabad. 

“Rishabh Pant has produced three innings that changed the course of a Test with mature counterattacking when the team was in trouble. Most players don’t contribute that many in a career,” Chappell wrote in his column on ESPN Cricinfo. In all three matches, Pant’s knock was important for India. In Sydney, it made sure India drew the match, while the other two ensured them a win. 

Rishabh Pant was scared of… well, nothing actually: Ian Chappell

Chappell further noted how the 23-year-old worked behind the scenes which has helped him to improve. “Pant was read the riot act in Australia when he turned up overweight. He then ‘worked his backside off’, according to the coach, and was reinstated in the team after the Indian debacle at Adelaide Oval. What followed has been a revelation,” Chappell wrote. 

The former Australian captain also noted how each of those knocks played by the young player had a balance between aggression and caution. He made a point that Pant’s cricket is not just about ‘see the ball and hit it’, but it is about looking to score frequently. 

“Pant was scared of… well, nothing actually. The chirpy Indian keeper, armed with a supremely confident disposition, played each innings balancing aggression with appropriate caution. His approach of ‘see the ball and hit it’ is a simple one but it’s fortified by the common-sense approach of always looking for opportunities to score,” Chappell concluded. He also praised Pant’s improvement as a keeper in the article.