'Shots he played weren’t in the MCC manual': Australian legend showers big praise on Rishabh Pant after twin tons

Former Australia captain and ex-India head coach Greg Chappell has heaped massive praise on Rishabh Pant after the wicketkeeper-batter scored centuries in both innings of the first Test against England at Headingley. Pant smashed 134 off 178 balls in the first innings and followed it up with 118 off 140 in the second.

Despite Pant's efforts , and centuries from three other batters, India lost the match by 5 wickets. Indian fielders and bowlers let the team down, while the lower-order failed to contribute runs yet again. India dominated the game for most periods, but England’s fightback at every stage led to the loss.

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Chappell’s big praise for Rishabh Pant

Chappell, speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai, said Pant reminded him of legendary Australian keeper-batter Adam Gilchrist but with his own special style. Chappell called Pant a player who is “reinventing the game” with his fearless and unique batting style.

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“When I first saw him, he reminded me of Adam Gilchrist…a different sort of player, of course, but…the difference it can make to a team when a wicketkeeper can bat at that level and to score runs quickly,” Chappell said.

“The beauty is Rishabh gets runs at a very fast rate which gives you time to win cricket matches. His was a phenomenal performance. Some of the shots he played weren’t in the MCC playing manual,” he added.

“You never quite know what to expect from him from the first ball. At any stage he is likely to jump down the wicket to the fast bowlers or play the falling ramp shot. You never quite know what to expect. It keeps the opposition on their toes. He is a match winner (and he) very nearly made the difference in that game,” Chappell added.

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Chappell lauds Shubman Gill despite loss

Chappell reckoned Shubman Gill had a good start as the Indian Test captain even though the result in the opening Test of the five-match series did not go his way.

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“It was a terrific Test match. Sadly, India didn’t finish on the correct side of the ledger. There were a lot of good things for them,” Chappell said.

“Shubman Gill had a great start as a captain and as a player even if they did not get the result. Conditions were probably better on the last day than they were at any other stage of the Test match."

“Both Gill and the Indian think tank would have learned a lot on what to take forward. Gill will only get better and better. I think his start was pretty good. Had the team taken more catches and the tail wagged a bit, the results could have been very different,” he continued.

(With agency inputs)