Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has applauded Rishabh Pant for playing a steady knock in the second Test against
Sri Lanka. He said the wicketkeeper-batter also hit a massive six off a ball similar to the one that had injured him the previous day. Pant scored 63 runs off 89 balls as India declared their first innings at 503/9 in Colombo on Monday, August 24. Sri Lanka were 8/2 in their first innings at close of play on Day 2 as well.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Pujara said, “He got hit by a similar ball yesterday. So he was absolutely ready now. The ball he missed yesterday, he sent it outside the stadium. The ball hit the solar panel first. He has left his mark on the stadium. Only Rishabh Pant could have hit such a big six against the new ball there. Not only that six, but the way he batted, it was an extremely sensible knock.”

“He showed how an aggressive player can bat in a Test match. He didn’t play straight shots against the spinner. He used the sweep and the reverse sweep. The shots he hit straight were with the spin. He didn’t step out against Keshara and hit a six over mid-on. When Jayasuriya came to bowl, he hit shots straight and over midwicket. His game plan looked right today,” he added.

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However, Cheteshwar Pujara added that Rishabh Pant is learning that he cannot be predictable.

“He is learning himself. His form is looking good now, but why did he go through slightly bad form for a little while? It was because he was becoming predictable. There is a lot of video analysis in today’s era. The opposition team sees where Rishabh Pant’s strength is, where he plays more shots, and where the fielders can be placed against him,” he said.

“So the bowling is according to that, and that’s why he was facing slight difficulties. He has also understood that the opposition team is ready against him. They are spreading the field. So, can he outplay them? Can he take singles or find different shots? He has worked on that,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.