Indian skipper Rohit Sharma voiced his unwavering support for Rishabh Pant, emphasizing that the team is not burdening the wicketkeeper-batter with undue pressure despite his recent dip in form during the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Rohit expressed confidence in Pant’s ability to bounce back, highlighting his hard work and commitment ahead of the crucial final two Tests.
Pant, known for his match-winning heroics during the previous BGT in Australia, has struggled to replicate that form this time. After a promising 37 in the first innings of the Perth Test, he has failed to make significant contributions in the subsequent four innings. A combination of Australia’s strategic planning and frequent top-order collapses has often pushed him into challenging situations.
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“There’s no additional pressure,” Rohit Sharma clarified during the pre-match press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). “He’s only played three Tests on this tour. He has been scoring runs back home and has been in good form. Judging him on just a couple of games isn’t fair. He knows his role well. All these young players – Rishabh, Shubman [Gill], Yashasvi [Jaiswal] – are in the same phase of learning. Our focus is to guide them and not overcomplicate their approach.”
Rohit stressed the importance of fostering a supportive environment for Pant and his peers. “Our role is to keep talking to them, helping them understand game awareness without complicating things. Rishabh is aware of the expectations from him and is putting in the effort. Hopefully, we’ll see him deliver in these last two Tests,” he added.
The upcoming matches could favour Pant’s style of play. The MCG pitch, with a hint of grass early on, tends to ease for batting as the game progresses.
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Moreover, the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), known for assisting spinners, is Pant’s most productive venue in Australia. With scores of 159* (189), 36 (67), and 97 (118) in three SCG innings, Pant averages a staggering 146 there. Both venues present an excellent opportunity for him to reclaim his rhythm and contribute significantly to India’s campaign.
