India’s Rishabh Pant bats during play on day three of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday urged Rishabh Pant to tone down his attacking mindset in the first half an hour and assess the conditions first in the remaining two Border Gavaskar Trophy Tests between India and Australia.
“What Rishabh Pant has to do, like everybody else, respect the first half an hour; respect a little bit when he gets in there, whatever the position, unless, of course, India is 525 for 3; then he can tee off,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“They get the ball to angle across. Pat Cummins and even (Josh) Hazlewood give him a little bit of a problem; Scott Boland will give him a little bit of a problem because Boland bowls around that area as well,” the former Indian batter added on the impact of the Aussie bowlers.
The 27-year-old Pant hasn’t had much impact in the ongoing series, managing scores of 37, 1, 21, 28, and 9 in his five innings across three Tests.
Matthew Hayden, meanwhile, opined that Pant’s counter-attacking offence will give the visitors a much-needed edge against Australia.
“I have always been a fan of his. He’s kind of a different cheese; there is no doubt about it. And I would like to just see him explore that as well because he should be coming in a situation where, as I mentioned before, there are lots of runs; and if so, that’s a perfect scenario for him to be (in),” he said.
“But it’s also the perfect scenario for Team India. A little bit like Rohit Sharma, I think we haven’t seen some counter-punching efforts from Rishabh, but he should have no fear in these conditions. I think in the absence of fear comes a great opportunity for Rishabh and Team India,” said Hayden.
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