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Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist

Australia great Adam Gilchrist who was one of the most destructive batters of his generation has come out with praises for Rishabh Pant and reacted to comparisons between himself and the star Indian wicketkeeper.

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The cricket fraternity had taken note of Pant's impressive return to Test cricket in the recent Bangladesh series after he suffered a car accident in December 2022. 

Gilchrist had plenty of admiration for the 26-year-old, particularly for the youngster's attacking approach to playing cricket in the middle order, in what is a reminder of his former self. 

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Is Rishabh Pant's batting style similar to that of Adam Gilchrist?

Pant who strikes 73.7 with an average of almost 44 in Tests has been touted as the closest player to Gilchrist himself, due to their similar batting approach and given that they are both left-handers.

Gilchrist also had staggering numbers with the bat in Test cricket, with a strike rate of 82 at an average of 47.6 in 96 matches.

The Aussie great was speaking to cricket.com, when he was asked a question about him being compared to the star Indian wicketkeeper, to which he reacted with praise for the youngster. 

"Oh, he’s [closest to me], I reckon he [Rishabh Pant] attacks a bit more than even I did. I played an aggressive brand for the time. But Rishabh, he looks fearless. What I do like is his ability to occasionally put the foot on the brake and absorb a bit of pressure."

Read More: IND vs BAN 1st Test: Live updates as Rishabh Pant returns back to action

He also went on to say that Pant is someone who is an exciting batter to watch, adding that he "would happily pay money to watch him play".

"So, he’s [Pant] a class act. He’s what you say, 'bums on seats'. And people pay money well and truly and I would happily pay money to watch him play cricket. That’s a great quality to have I think," Gilchrist said on cricket.com's YouTube channel.

"If people acknowledge you in that manner, he gets results. He’s a winner, a survivor as we know. Yeah, just he’s all class in everything he does. He’s good fun, he’s got the humour. He knows about to go about a very serious business in a fun way," he concluded.

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What did Ricky Ponting say about Rishabh Pant's return to Test cricket?

Pant was involved in a serious car accident back in 2022, that left him with severe injuries. 

Ricky Ponting, who had worked closely with Pant during their time together at Delhi Capitals, shared his admiration for Pant's resilience, on his return to Test cricket.

"It is a remarkable comeback, honestly. If you can even see his leg now and when you listen to the stories that he tells about what he was confronted with when he woke up after his car went 40 meters up the road, at 200km an hour," Ponting said.

"I mean to even think about the mental scar that comes about and then the physical side of it, the rehab that he went through. I didn't think he'd play last season's IPL. That is why I was on the phone to him you know - but he said 'don't worry about me, I'll guarantee you that I will be ready for the IPL,'" he added.

MORE: 'He is an infectious character. He is a winner' - Ricky Ponting praises Rishabh Pant on his incredible return to Test cricket and highlights his superior record to MS Dhoni

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Author(s)
Mayank Bande Photo

Mayank Bande is a content producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.