Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has heaped praises on Indian stumper Rishabh Pant after his heroics in the Test series Down Under. He compared Pant’s attacking instincts with none other than Virender Sehwag, who is regarded as one of the finest Test openers of all time. He further added that he loves watching Pant bat and is one of the most enjoyable cricketers along with Ben Stokes.
“When Pant goes out to bat, I watch. I would not want to be next in because you know things will happen. But if he continues to play the game with the joy and energy he has at the moment as if he is still an 11-year-old then he will pose so many challenges to the opposing team," Vaughan was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
Further comparing Pant with Sehwag, Vaughan said that just like Sehwag instilled the fear among opposition bowlers, Pant is also following the same footsteps. The Australian captain Tim Paine and the whole team was taken aback by Pant’s approach and found themselves in a corner while trying to play defensive.
"Sehwag put the fear into opposing bowlers and Pant has the same ability at six to do the same. He will make mistakes and get out for low scores at times but he will also win so many games," Vaughan said.
Pant played a pivotal role in India’s historic Test series victory in Australia and finished as the leading run-scorer of India in the 4 match series. India was drubbed badly by the hosts in the Adelaide Test and to make matter worse, they had to miss the services of Virat Kohli for the last 3 Test matches and was further pegged back with injuries to several frontline players. They somehow managed to field a playing XI for the final Test in Gabba which was perhaps not even their 2nd string team.
Pant smashed a sensational counter-attacking 97 in Sydney and gave India realistic chances off pulling off a historic win. In the final Test, he remained unbeaten on 87 and saw India through to a memorable Test match and series victory.
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