Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s stature as India’s finisher continues to grow. On Day 2 of the ongoing second Test, the 23-year-old showcased why he is a threat on any surface, against any opposition in the world.
After Moeen Ali dismissed both Axar Patel and Ishant Sharma in the same over, Pant launched a counter-attack on a deteriorated “Chepauk” track. Pant started dealing in boundaries as he went on to register another half-century. Alas, Pant was left stranded at 58* as India were bowled out for 329.
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Former England batsman Mark Butcher, while speaking during Lunch on Day 2, said that Rishabh Pant has become a valuable player for the Indian team. Butcher added that Pant scares the life out of opposition’s captain as he can change the game in a matter of few overs.
“He was gutted that he ran out of partners, wasn’t he? He took a single off the first ball of Olly Stone, and exposed the rest of the tail-enders for the rest of the over and Stone finished things off. He continues to impress ever since he’s got back to the Indian team at Melbourne. He has impressed with the bat,” he said.
“He has work to do as a wicketkeeper but all the while they are getting this sort of productivity out of him with the bat in the lower order and the fact that he scares the life out of opposition’s captain because he can score so quickly. He is becoming an incredibly valuable player for the Indian team,” Butcher added.