Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said that India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been in formidable form and his new-found confidence is helping him to play in the way he wants to as well. Hesson further added Pant will bat at No. 6 in the inaugural World Test Championship final, in which he is likely to leave his mark also.
Rishabh Pant had earlier dropped from the squad and only returned after India’s defeat in the first Test against Australia. He soon after left his mark by playing match-winning knocks on the Australian soil and then maintained his form in the England series at home.
“I think he’s more confident, more settled on the international stage now. Therefore, he’s able to play the way he wants to play. He has earned enough credit within his team as well,” Mike Hesson told the Press Trust of India.”He also does the hard work first, so it’s not a reckless play. He allows himself that chance to show a bit of flair, which we all enjoy watching.”
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Meanwhile, former chief selector MSK Prasad has also praised Rishabh Pant, saying that he has proven his calibre already.
“People said that he can’t bat in Test cricket and can’t keep in challenging wickets. So, what has happened today? See, how he kept wickets against England at home. Many people never believed that Pant would be so good,” Prasad told cricket.com.
Even another former India wicketkeeper-batsman Kiran More has also said that Rishabh Pant will play a key role for Virat Kohli-led Indian team in the much-awaited summit clash against Kane Williamson-led New Zealand.
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“I feel he (Rishabh Pant) will once again be the key player for us in the World Test Championship final and also in the England series. He is on top of his game at the moment and I think he feels confident enough to change the course of the game with the bat from any position,” Kiran More was quoted as saying by rediff.com.
“I believe he has settled down nicely now. This is his second tour to England, in fact, the third tour if you consider the World Cup in 2019. He knows the conditions well, he has scored a century in a Test match. With the gloves too, I believe he will do a good job,” Kiran More again shared about the young Rishabh Pant.
