Australian Test captain Pat Cummins recently shared his thoughts on Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, recognizing the unique challenge Pant presents for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With the five-match Test series set to kick off on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, Cummins emphasized that Pant’s aggressive approach requires specific, well-thought-out strategies, given his record of unsettling opponents with his quick scoring.
India will enter the series on the back of a disheartening 0-3 Test series loss at home against New Zealand, where their batters struggled notably against spin. However, Pant emerged as a silver lining, leading the team in runs with 261 across six innings at an average of 43.50. He will be crucial in the high-stakes series against Australia, where every Test contributes to valuable World Test Championship (WTC) points.
ALSO READ: Dinesh Karthik On Rohit Sharma’s Test Form: A Need To Rebuild Trust In Technique
Pat Cummins acknowledged Rishabh Pant’s game-changing abilities, particularly his knack for accelerating play and impacting the match’s flow. “He’s someone who can change the game quickly,” Cummins remarked. “He did well in his last series here, so we know how dangerous he can be if he gets going. We’ll definitely have some plans to keep him in check and hope they work out,” he told Hindustan Times.
Rishabh Pant’s previous trips to Australia underscore his impact in Test cricket. In the 2018-19 series, his second-highest run tally helped India claim a historic 2-1 series win. During his return in 2020-21, Pant’s performances again played a pivotal role, securing another 2-1 victory for India.
ALSO READ: AB de Villiers Outlines Key Targets For RCB Ahead Of IPL Auction
Across seven Tests in Australia, Pant has scored an impressive 624 runs at an average of 62.40 and a brisk strike rate of 72.13, with two half-centuries and a century to his name. His highest score, an unbeaten 159 in Sydney in January 2019, came when he was just 21, highlighting his potential to dominate under pressure.
For Cummins and the Australian team, containing Pant will be crucial to their game plan, as his record Down Under proves he thrives in challenging conditions.
