Former Indian player turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar felt Rishabh Pant has a good defensive technique like his predecessor MS Dhoni, contrary to popular belief. However, Pant equalled Dhoni with his sixth Test century in the second innings of the ongoing opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 21 as well. He is playing his first Test match since sustaining an injury due to a car accident in December 2022. After scoring a valuable 39 in the first innings, Pant smashed a ton in the second innings.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo at stumps on Day 3, Manjrekar said, “It’s a misleading package we see with Rishabh Pant. Underneath that, you will see as many dot balls in his innings at Shubman Gill’s so he is willing to also play the defensive game that we have seen many times in the past. He has got a pretty good defensive technique, bit like Dhoni, whose defensive technique was quite good. People talk about the leadership and the big-hitting power that Dhoni had, but his defensive technique was pretty good, and the same with Rishabh Pant as well.”
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“We’ve seen these phases but it’s about Pant playing as per the situation, sometimes dependent on his mood but also very careful about choosing the right kind of bowlers as long as there were off-spinners bowling, he wasn’t taking too many chances. So he is that kind of player who has his own way of getting runs and has his own agenda – a bit like Virender Sehwag. When India goes to Australia, that is when they truly need him,” he further added.
However, Sanjay Manjrekar also feels Rishabh Pant’s batting has looked even better since his comeback from injury as well. Pant was a vital cog in India’s T20 World Cup win this year in the West Indies and the USA, batting at No.3 as well.
“If at all, he looks even better now, only because there is one technical or stylistic aspect that has changed. The Pant of earlier you would often find being out of balance. He didn’t care about it as long as the ball was landing in the second tier. That scenario you don’t see now, even in the T20 World Cup and whatever cricket he has played after that. He has got a better balance, maybe not putting that much strain on his body,” concluded Sanjay Manjrekar.
