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Rishabh Pant is Redefining Test Cricket, Says Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell Hails Pant as a Modern-Day Match-Winner
Former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell believes Rishabh Pant is revolutionizing the art of Test batting with his fearless and unconventional approach. Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai on June 25, Chappell said Pant is “reinventing the game as a batsman” and compared his impact to that of Adam Gilchrist, another game-changing wicketkeeper-batter.
“He’s a match-winner,” Chappell said. “Very nearly made the difference in that game at Headingley.”
Although India lost the Headingley Test, Pant’s performance stood out. He scored centuries in both innings, becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter in Test history—after Andy Flower—to achieve that rare feat.
Pant’s Batting Defies Coaching Norms
Unorthodox Yet Effective: The New Age Batsman
Pant’s ability to score rapidly while taking calculated risks has earned him praise across the cricketing world. Chappell noted that many of Pant’s shots wouldn’t be found in traditional coaching manuals, highlighting how the left-hander is rewriting the rules of Test cricket.
“Some of the shots he played probably weren’t in the MCC coaching manual when I last looked at it.”
Chappell also emphasized the role of modern bat technology in enabling batters to explore uncharted territory.
“You can now play shots that weren’t possible with old bats. But man, he’s exciting to watch. You never quite know what to expect—from the first ball, he might jump down to the pacers or ramp them. It keeps the opposition on their toes.”
A Gilchrist-Like Presence in the Indian Line-up
Comparing Pant to the legendary Adam Gilchrist, Chappell said the Indian wicketkeeper brings the same X-factor to the team.
“When I first saw him, he reminded me of Gilchrist. Having a wicketkeeper who can bat like that changes the whole dynamic of a side. What an exciting cricketer to have in your team.”
Pant’s ability to score quickly and shift momentum is a rare asset in Test cricket, traditionally known for its slow tempo. His performances offer India the advantage of creating more time to push for results, especially on tough pitches.
🔗 Related: India Cricket Player Spotlight – Rishabh Pant’s Test Record
A Promising Start for Shubman Gill as Captain
In addition to Pant’s brilliance, Chappell praised Shubman Gill for his composure and leadership during his debut Test as India’s captain.
“Shubman Gill had a great start to his career as Test captain,” he said. “The result didn’t go India’s way, but he will grow into the role.”
Chappell believes Gill will evolve into a capable leader as he learns from high-pressure scenarios like the one at Headingley.
“He’ll get better and better. If India had taken a few more catches or gotten more runs from the tail, the result could have been different.”
With four more Tests to play in the series, Chappell remains optimistic about Gill’s leadership journey and India’s overall performance.
The Road Ahead for India in the Test Series
Despite the setback in Leeds, India showed glimpses of brilliance, especially from emerging stars like Pant and Gill. As the series progresses, these individual performances could translate into team victories.
