Former England captain Michael Vaughan has said Rishabh Pant has the ability to win matches by dominating opposition attacks while batting at No. 6 for India in Test cricket as he likened the wicketkeeper’s big-hitting ability to that of former opener Virender Sehwag.
Michael Vaughan said Rishabh Pant, while batting at No. 6, can do what Virender Sehwag did for India — put fear into the minds of opposition bowlers. Vaughan said Pant can end up making mistakes, at times, but he will also be able to win matches for Team India.
Rishabh Pant played two “career-defining” knocks against Australia as he played a crucial role in helping India win a 4-match Test series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last month in India. Pant took the attack to Australia bowlers in the 3rd Test in Sydney, hitting a dominant 97 as India went on to seal a draw. In the 4th and final Test in Brisbane, Pant hit 89 not out as India became the first side since Sir Vivian Richards’ West Indies to beat Australia at the Gabba in Test since 1988-89.
“Sehwag put the fear into opposing bowlers and Pant has the same ability at six to do the same. He will make mistakes and get out for low scores at times but he will also win so many games,” Michael Vaughan said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
Rishabh Pant is gearing up for the upcoming 4-Test series against England starting Friday, February 5 in Chennai. Pant is likely to retain the wicket-keeper spot and be picked ahead of Wriddhiman Saha who has been considered for the specialist role in home Tests.
