‘You’re a true match winner’ – Adam Gilchrist lauds Rishabh Pant for scoring his maiden Test ton in India

Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian cricketer, heaped praises on Rishabh Pant, who smashed his second Test ton in the fourth and final Test against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pant came to bat at a stage when the hosts were reeling at 80 for four with a trail of 125 runs ahead of them. But he didn’t let the pressure build on Virat Kohli and Co.

He went on to score 101 runs off 118 balls with the help of 13 fours and two sixes. When he got out to James Anderson in the 85th over of the innings, India had already amassed a lead of 54 runs and had three wickets in hand. At the close of play on the second day, Virat’s men are leading by 89 runs with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as the overnight batsmen.

Rishabh Pant impresses Adam Gilchrist

Gilchrist called Pant a true match-winner and was in awe of his batting. The veteran took to Twitter and wrote, “It’s not just about how many you get, but also when you get them. If you can somehow sync the first with the second, when the team needs it most, you’re a true match-winner. Looking at you.”

It’s not just about how many you get, but also when you get them. If you can somehow sync the first with the second, when the team needs it most, you’re a true match winner. Looking at you @RishabhPant17 👏

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 5, 2021

Pant was overwhelmed with Gilchrist’s words of praises. Pant replied and wrote, “Huge compliment coming from you, Gilly! Learned a lot watching you over the years.”

Huge compliment coming from you, Gilly! Learned a lot watching you over the years. https://t.co/H5XIQl3XMe

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) March 5, 2021

During his knock, Pant was also involved in a partnership of 113 runs with Sundar that helped India arrest their mini-slump. The left-handed Pant talked about his thought process while playing the innings and how he made his approach.

“The plan was just to build a partnership when I joined Rohit; that was the only thing on my mind. I was thinking I would assess the pitch and then play my shots. If the bowlers are bowling well respect it and take the singles, and that was on my mind,” Pant said after the day’s play.

“I like to play the situation and I just see the ball and react – that’s the USP (unique selling point) of my game. The team plan was to get to 206, past the England total, and then get as many runs as possible after that,” he added.