December 31, 2024: Amid the struggles of Rishabh Pant in Australia, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has come to the wicketkeeper-batter’s defense, suggesting that he should be criticized for his failures, rather than the manner in which he fails. Pant, known for his aggressive and fearless batting, has had a rough patch in the ongoing series against Australia, failing to convert his starts into big scores and making some questionable shot selections that have attracted criticism.
Pant, who has traditionally been a strong performer against Australia, has found it tough to find form in this series. In the first four matches of the series, he has scored 154 runs at an average of 22.00, with his best score being just 37. His inability to turn starts into substantial scores, coupled with some poor shot-making, has drawn the ire of fans and cricketing legends, including Sunil Gavaskar, who questioned his batting approach.
Manjrekar, however, defended Pant’s overall record and his potential as a cricketer. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Pant should be criticised only for his failures, rather than how he fails. He averages 42 in Tests with at least 3 great innings ever played by an Indian! In 42 Tests, he has 6 hundreds & 7 nineties. He is a great player not scoring enough runs & that’s the crux of it. #INDvsAUS.”
Manjrekar’s argument is that Pant, despite his recent struggles, is a highly talented player with a proven track record in Test cricket. His ability to play memorable innings, such as his match-winning knocks in Australia in the past, remains undisputed.
Pant has been a standout player for India, especially in Australia, where he has consistently delivered with the bat. In 11 Tests in Australia, he has scored 778 runs at an average of 45.76, with a century (159*) and two fifties. His remarkable performances in previous series in Australia have earned him a reputation for rising to the occasion in challenging conditions. During the 2018-19 tour, Pant emerged as India’s top-run scorer, amassing 350 runs in four Tests at an average of 58.33, including a memorable century and his best score of 159*.
In 2020-21, Pant continued his excellent run in Australia, scoring 274 runs in three Tests at an average of 68.50, with key knocks such as his 97 at Sydney and his 89 in Brisbane* to help India chase down a historic target of 328. His exploits, including a series-winning performance at the Gabba, firmly cemented his place as one of India’s brightest young talents.
However, since his return to cricket after a life-threatening accident in 2022, Pant has faced challenges in regaining his best form. In the nine Tests he has played since returning, he has accumulated 576 runs at an average of 36.00, with one century and three fifties, and his best score being 109.
Manjrekar’s comments underscore the fact that Pant’s overall record in Test cricket, particularly against Australia, speaks volumes about his potential. The issue at hand is not his ability or talent but his recent inability to capitalize on good starts, a frustration that all cricketers experience at various points in their careers.
As the series heads towards the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3, Pant will be looking to silence his critics and prove once again why he is one of India’s most exciting players in Test cricket. The match will also be a critical one for India, as they aim to level the series and recover from the defeat in the Melbourne Test.