Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq praised Rishabh Pant’s bating saying he looks like a left-handed version of former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.
The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has taken the Australian and English bowlers for a ride in the last couple of months. Pant has scored big runs almost every time he has batted since the second Test in Melbourne in December 2020.
The southpaw’s fearless batting approach has finally started returning good dividends and the world has taken note. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has played a lot against Sehwag, sees a left-handed version of him in Rishabh Pant.
Inzamam said on his YouTube channel, “Rishabh Pant, absolutely brilliant. After a long time, I have seen a player on whom pressure seems to have no effect. Even if six wickets are down at 146, the way he starts his innings, no one does.”
“He plays his strokes, irrespective of the pitch or how many runs the other team has scored. He is equally good against spinners and fast bowlers. I thoroughly enjoy watching him. It's like watching Sehwag bat left-handed,” he added.
IND v ENG 2021: "Rishabh Pant will strengthen the finishing for Team India," says VVS Laxman
Pant has stuck to the same approach irrespective of the team position, opposition bowlers, or the pitch on offer. Virender Sehwag, too, had a similar mindset every time he batted for India. He liked to score quickly even in the longest format of the game.
Inzamam said, “I have played with Sehwag and he too didn't bother about other factors. When he used to bat, it didn't matter to him how the pitch behaved or what kind of bowling attack the opponent had. He just had to play his strokes, even if the fielders were on the boundary. After Sehwag, I have seen such a player, for whom nothing else matters."
The 51-year-old also appreciated Pant’s self-confidence and called him a rare cricketer.
He said, “Ever since I've noted, it's not that he's only doing it in India, he did it in Australia too. He didn't get to score centuries because he plays at his own pace. After a long time, I have seen such a player.”
“India had Sachin, Dravid… now they have Virat and Rohit. But the way he plays, it's amazing. The kind of self-confidence he has is surprising. I haven't come across a player like him in cricket,” Inzamam concluded.
