Pant played a brilliant knock of 101 runs against England on Day 2 in Ahmedabad.
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s brilliant batting performance in the ongoing final Test against England has turned all the heads and the Australian legend Adam Gilchrist hailed the youngster as a “true match-winner” after his performance in Ahmedabad.
The 23-year-old played a wonderful knock of 101 off 118 balls laced with 13 boundaries and two sixes to take India to 294/7 steering India to a strong lead of 89 runs at the end of Day 2 in the ongoing fourth and final Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
It was left-hander’s first century on home soil and overall third Test hundred and following the knock, Pant broke many records and became a part of many elite clubs and one of those to become only second keeper after Gilchrist to have hit a century in England, Australia, and India.
Following his impressive knock, former Australia keeper took to Twitter to share a message for Pant while praising the youngster for his performance against England.
Gilchrist wrote on Twitter on Friday: “It’s not just about how many you get, but also when you get them. If you can somehow sync the first with the second, when the team needs it most, you’re a true match-winner. Looking at you @RishabhPant17,”
Pant responded to Gilchrist: "Huge compliment coming from you, Gilly! Learned a lot watching you over the years."
Meanwhile, Pant told the host broadcasters Star about his superb knock: “You have to premeditate reverse-flicks, but if luck is going your way you can take the odd chance. I get the license most of the time, but I have to assess the situation and take the game head-on. I like to make the team win and if the crowd is entertained by that, I’m happy.”
He signed off by saying, “If the bowlers are bowling well respect it and take the singles, and that was on my mind. I like to play the situation and I just see the ball and react – that’s the USP (unique selling point) of my game. The plan was just to build a partnership when I joined Rohit, that was the only thing on my mind. I was thinking I would assess the pitch and then play my shots.”
(With PTI/ANI Inputs)