Rishabh Pant ‘scratching the surface’ in terms of talent: Glenn Maxwell

Back in August, Dinesh Karthik floundered miserably and 21-year-old Rishabh Pant was drafted in for the third Test at Trent Bridge against England. He got off the mark in international cricket, depositing leg-spinner Adil Rashid into the stands. Thereafter, he has done reasonably well, both as a batsman and a keeper. In seven Tests, Pant has notched 465 runs with one century and a couple of half-centuries.

Apart from that, the Uttarakhand-born player has grasped 37 catches and effected a couple of stumpings as well. The pugnacious potential is currently in Australia where India are playing the four-match series, which presently is level at 1-1. The southpaw has been decent with the gloves behind the wickets, but has strained with the bat, having not been able to convert his starts with the willow in hand.

He can manipulate his body

Recently, Glenn Maxwell, who will captain the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), mentioned that Pant hasn’t quite utilised his potential well, but remarked that it’s a treat to watch the southpaw when in full flow. Moreover, Maxwell exemplified Pant’s century against the Brits at Kennington Oval in London for his flexibility as a batsman.

“He’s an amazing talent. We have only seen him scratch the surface in terms of his ability. I’ve been glued to my TV every time he’s come out to bat … if he does get going, it’s pretty good to watch. He’s extremely talented … he played some extraordinary innings for us over there,” Maxwell was quoted as saying to the reporters.

“He got an amazing hundred, where he just kept reserve-scooping balls with a straight bat, over third man for six. I think he was a gymnast growing up, so he’s extremely flexible. He can manipulate his body into different positions to hit the ball,” he added.

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