Rishabh Pant's murderous counter-attack is now a signature style

Ever since Indian cricket saw the arrival of Virender Sehwag, some basic concepts of batting underwent a permanent change. The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ imported an approach to using the bat, especially as an opener in Tests, that was considered blasphemous. But Sehwag prevailed with his unique batting style and left a permanent legacy. If ‘Gavaskar school’ is one about which some coaches teach their students aspiring to become a Test opener, there is also the ‘Sehwag school’ on offer from others.

Today, wicket-keeper-batter Rishabh Pant has brought the Sehwag-like approach back in Test cricket. The diminutive gloveman is considered as a dynamite of talent who can do it all with his bat. There have been occasions when his batting style has enraged the traditionalists who felt he is too adventurous to even risk his career. But the 24-year-old southpaw has never cared for the feedback.

For some, Pant is played far too up the order. He should rather be a typical No.7 wicket-keeper-batter who knows how to counter attack when the chips are down. But the man perhaps rates himself a tad better as a batter. Statistics tend to show that Pant’s self-confidence is not exactly out of place.

On Friday, March 4, the Delhi keeper-batter slammed 96 runs off just 97 balls after coming to bat at No.5 in the first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. He did it when India lost their top four with two wickets, including that of Virat Kohli who was playing his 100th Test, falling fast.

Pant counter-attacked the islanders’ limited bowling attack and put up some meaty partnerships with the likes of Shreyas Iyer (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (45) to take India’s score past 330. He missed yet another Test ton closely (it was his fifth fall in the 90s) but reiterated his daring approach with the bat. Irrespective of the opponents, venue, innings or his personal score, Pant is not one who cares about his approach. He makes a cautious beginning and then launches it big time.

Pant has shown it in Australia, South Africa and now

In January last year, Pant had produced a similar gem in Australia. In the third match (in Sydney) of the series which was tied 1-1, India were set a target of 407 by the hosts and Pant walked in with the team total reading 102 for 3. With no Kohli around and the tail looking a long one, not many would have dared to go after the target. But given Pant has a different mindset altogether when it comes to competing, he did not give up till the game was on. He scored 97 off 118 balls and added 148 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara (77) for the fourth wicket on the final day in less than 44 overs and it was his dismissal that saw India going for a draw.

But Pant was not satisfied with the draw and when he found himself in a similar position again in the next and final Test in Brisbane, he ensured that his team won the match and with that, the second consecutive Test series Down Under. Chasing 329 this time, Pant came out to bat at 167 for 3 and remained till the last to remain not out on 89 (138 balls) and guided India to a historic victory by three wickets.

In South Africa this year, too, Pant was seen in action again. In the third and deciding Test match in Cape Town, the visitors led by Kohli were left reeling at 58 for 4 after managing a slender first-innings lead of 13 runs. Pant this time walked in at No.6 and launched another counter-attacking knock after an initial caution. He added 94 runs with his skipper but did not get much support thereafter and was left stranded at 100 not out off 139 balls. India were all out for 198 runs which means more than 50 per cent of the score came from Pant’s bat. But the Proteas won the match by seven wickets and with that, the series.

Pant, who averages almost 97 at No.5 in Tests, has evolved as a Test batter irrespective of the complaints that the purists often make against his technique. Four of his tons have come at No.6 and No.7 (each) and he averages more than 37 at those two slots. The man has already slammed hundreds at countries that are considered among the toughest in the circuit (114 in England in 2018, 159 not out in Australia in 2019, 100 not out in Johannesburg in 2022) and even if he has got out at times trying to make a statement in the very first ball that he faced and left his side in a spot and has been blasted as one who is irresponsible, Pant has made up more than that by playing some timely knocks that back his claim to be among the greatest match-winners India has produced.

Just the way Sehwag had done years ago.