Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman praised young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's batting in the first Test against England. He has deemed Pant has become a more mature and aware batsman now, who fully understands his shortcomings.

Rishabh Pant stepped up with the bat once again in the first innings in Chennai with some quick runs as the top order coudln't do much in the innings. Coming in to bat at India 73/4, trailing by 505 runs, the southpaw scored 91 off 88 deliveries before getting out to a miscued heave that was caught in the off-side.

VVS Laxman is happy with the way Pant batted though, as it brought back fresh memories of the historic Test match at Gabba in Brisbane last month where the left-hander took India to a hard-earned victory and helped them beat Australia 2-1.

IND v ENG 2021: Cheteshwar Pujara advises Rishabh Pant to be more "sensible" with his shot selection

Laxman told Star Sports, "I think that is the change we saw in Rishabh Pant’s batting in the 4th innings of the Brisbane Test. He played a match-winning knock. He has become more mature, he is aware of his shortcomings. He was also aware of the game plan of the opposition bowler."

"He knows which line to attack and which line to play defensively. Even though he got out on 91, that shot was a high-percentage shot. Even though the fielders are back, Pant backs his ability and strength," he added.

The 46-year-old also pointed out that England pushed the fielders back because of Pant's big shots anf that helped Cheteshwar Pujara to score some runs as well.

His innings mixed with caution and aggression helped India get a lot more boundaries and the team management backs Pant's approach according to VVS.

He said, "One good thing with Pant’s approach is that the momentum of the game changes, all close-in fielders around the bat moved to catching position or on the boundary line. That’s the reason why Pujara got benefitted and we got a lot more boundaries. That’s an approach which Rishabh Pant has taken and we have to back it."

"I am sure the team management is backing his approach, now and then he can play a loose shot and get out but overall, I thought it was a mature innings. It was an innings mixed with caution and aggression,” Laxman added.

(With inputs from India Today)