Rishabh Pant, who is deemed as the legendary MS Dhoni’s successor as a wicketkeeper-batsman in all forms of the game, lived up to the expectations during the recently held Test series in Australia.
Pant played a key role in India’s recent 2-1 Test series win Down Under, scoring 259 runs at an impressive average of 51.80, including two half-centuries.
His 97 in the third Test in Sydney nearly helped India win the match before it ended as a draw while the southpaw smashed 89 not out to take the visitors over the line in the final Test at the Gabba while chasing 328 in the fourth innings.
Pant batted at No. 5 in both instances after having been promoted ahead of Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal, respectively.
Speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin, India batting coach Vikram Rathour revealed it was Virat Kohli's idea to use Rishabh Pant as a floater.
Rathour said Kohli had suggested this move before returning to India on paternity leave.
"It wasn't really my call. I can't take credit for this (promoting Pant). This conversation started after we lost the first Test in Adelaide. Virat, Ajinkya and all of us sat together before Virat left. It actually came from Virat. In case we are playing both the left-handers, it will be a good idea if Pant is sent in at No. 5 so that we can continue having the left-right combination," Rathour said on Ashwin's YouTube show 'Let me tell a kutti story'.
"We waited on this little further and I had a discussion with Ajinkya that we will let him be at No. 6. In the second innings in Sydney, I said 'this is the time he should go in at No. 5" irrespective of when we lose the wicket because we were looking to win the Test match. All of us agreed on the decision.
"It included Ravi bhai because he was going big on left-right combinations. He believed for a long time that Australia don't bowl well to left-handers. It was discussed and Ajinkya agreed. I actually suggested that if we get a good start, we can even send him at No. 4. That plan didn't materialise," he added.
Here’s the video:
