Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman, while talking about the positives Team India gained in the Test series against England, lauded Rishabh Pant for his performance with both bat and gloves.
After being dropped from India's limited-overs set-up and getting trolled for his weight and performances during IPL 2020; Rishabh Pant's turnaround is one of the most remarkable ones being witnessed in the history of Indian cricket.
Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has had a wonderful 2021 till now. The 23-years-old was one of the reasons behind India’s Test triumph in Australia and then carried his superb form with the bat in the series-defining performance against England.
Prior to his batting, Pant has been a prophecy with the gloves as the former exhibited phenomenal glovework behind the wickets and pulled out some stunning catches and stumpings.
Addressing the same, former Indian cricketer said that Rishabh Pant is the biggest positive Team India got in the series against England and added that the shots the 23-years-old played against ‘great’ James Anderson depicts the future he is going to have.
“The Indian team has got quite a few positives from the last two series. But I feel Rishabh Pant is the biggest positive, not only as a batsman but also as a keeper, the way he has kept on improving. If you can play shots like that against the great Jimmy Anderson, what a future he is going to have, ” VVS Laxman told Star sports.
Laxman while recalling Pant’s knock in Sydney and Brisbane said that playing a match-winning knock in tough situations is not easy for a young player.
“The Indian team was under pressure in Sydney, Brisbane, and also in this match when they were 150/6. In that situation, playing your natural game with fearless shots and playing a match-winning knock is not easy for a young player,” he said.
Laxman further lauded Pant’s hard work for coming back strong after a rough phase and credited his coaches, family members, and supporters for his turnaround.
“Everyone also needs to remember that the last two years have been very difficult for him but he showed positivity and improved his game by putting in the hard work and because of that, the results are being seen. I am sure there has been a significant contribution from his coaches, family members, and supporters which has helped in this turnaround,” he concluded.
Rishabh Pant finished the series against England as India’s second-highest run-getter after Rohit Sharma.
(Starsports Inputs)
