Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh recently drew comparisons between Rishabh Pant and legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, highlighting Pant’s ability to change the game from the middle order, similar to Gilchrist.
In the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, Yuvraj emphasized Pant’s impact in Tests when he bats at number five or six, noting that his aggressive style can turn the tide in India’s favor.
Yuvraj stated, “Rishabh has a lot of Gilchrist in him as he comes in and changes the game… I mention to Pant a lot about how Gilchrist changed middle-order batting in Tests.”
This comparison reflects Pant’s growing stature in India’s Test lineup, where his explosive batting has already produced numerous match-winning performances. Much like Gilchrist, Pant can take control of a game with his fearless approach, scoring quickly and unsettling bowlers.
Since his Test debut in 2018, Pant has played 34 matches, scoring 2419 runs at an impressive strike rate of 74.11. After recovering from a serious car accident, Pant made a stunning return during India’s series against Bangladesh, where he scored a century in the second innings, solidifying his role in the middle order.
Pant’s contributions, including a 109-run knock off 128 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes, have further propelled him into the ICC Test rankings, where he currently holds the sixth position among Test batters. Like Gilchrist for Australia, Pant has established himself as a key match-winner for India in the longer format of the game.