The new Mr. Natural has arrived, not since Australian Adam Gilchrist burst onto the cricket scene with an early talent as a wicket hitter. Remember, Pant’s big shot is now a familiar thing in Test Cricket.
On Friday, he swept Jimmy Anderson with impunity, surprising everyone at Motera.
There was no doubt Pant’s ability to first save and then bring India home with the bat, an example he showed again on Friday with a century of swashbuckling against it. England, his third in a cricket test match.
What has gone well in the current series of tests is its ability with carrying gloves. Pant had held up well on difficult terrain in the previous two tests, in Chennai and here, and also in this one, establishing himself as the No.1 wicket keeper for India in all formats. It is a great leap in three months from which it was doubted that he could one day put himself in Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s shoes or that he was lost in the comparison.
However, a few decisive innings in Australia in January and its blitzkrieg – 101 on 118 balls – on Friday that took India from 153 for six wickets, or 52 points behind England, to 294 for seven – and 89 points ahead in just one session – proved to be ready for the long haul.
Indian opener Rohit Sharma said on Friday: “He seems to do the job for us. He’s more than ready I guess. [to step into Dhoni’s shoes]. “
Throughout that streak, Pant has performed well behind the wickets even as the ball kicked and jumped.
Former Indian stumper Kiran More says he’s a match winner for him in all formats.
“I’ve always maintained that unless you throw someone to the bottom, how will he learn? That’s what happened with Pant. He’s been with the Indian team for three years. now. It was a very sad thing – not to play [him] in India. I don’t know what the reason was. He was young, inexperienced. Inexperience doesn’t help when playing in India. But you have to give opportunities for experience. Obviously during the period he worked hard, ”More told IANS.
Pant was not selected for testing in India, apparently because his carrying skills were not considered to be up to par. However, he has shown in this series that he belongs to this level, both as a batsman and as a wicket keeper.
“On Indian surfaces, a wicket keeper is always in the game. If you do well, you are appreciated. If you let go of a grip on level ground, it tends to stand out. strange ball, people blame the pitch not your wicket keeper skills. So it’s a little easier that way, ”More added.
Pant has received a lot of criticism for not hitting sensibly. He apparently lost his place on the side for not showing responsibility. A sacking during the 2019 World Cup drew a lot of criticism. However, now he seems to have matured. He led India to a resounding victory with 89 unbeaten in the fourth and final test against Australia in Brisbane in January, after helping India shoot the third test in Sydney with a 97.
Opener Sharma has supported Pant’s hitting style, which is aggressive and has remained largely unchanged from the start.
“In the first half of his innings he was fine, absolutely trusting his defense, and then once we got to 200 he just wanted to face the bowlers, which is good. You need those kinds of players. in your team who aren’t afraid to take on the bowlers, ”said Sharma, describing Pant’s stick on Friday.
Pant’s first half-century took 82 deliveries, and then the next took just 33. Shafts were strategically well constructed.
“He’s going to become more dangerous, to become more mature. He’s always been a match winner for me. He will become more dangerous with his abilities and his aggressiveness. The more experience he gets, the more dangerous he becomes in the world of cricket. It will win numerous tests for India in all formats, ”said More.
–IANS
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