Former India's head coach Ravi Shastri praised Rishabh Pant's aggressive batting style in the ongoing T20 World Cup and his remarkable ability to adjust his game to different pitches. This comes after Pant's impressive return from a serious car accident that sidelined him for over a year. Pant made a strong comeback in the 2024 IPL season, leading the Delhi Capitals and scoring a commendable 446 runs in just 13 matches. He continued his good form into international cricket, scoring an unbeaten 36 off just 26 balls in India's opening match against Ireland. This knock, which included a daring reverse scoop for a six, helped India chase down a modest target of 96 runs.
Pant's impact wasn't limited to low-scoring matches. In a crucial match against arch-rivals Pakistan, the 26-year-old played a vital knock of 42 runs off 31 balls. This helped India set a competitive target of 119 runs, which the bowlers successfully defended by restricting Pakistan to 113 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pant's fighting spirit and adaptability have been instrumental in India's early success in the tournament.
Rishabh Pant earns Ravi Shastri's praise
"Rishabh Pant is a naturally aggressive player, you know. He's instinctive. He'll react to what comes out of the bowler's hand."He's not too worried about what the pitch will do. He doesn't get that into his mind. He is very clear with his shot selection. Once he knows how the surface is behaving, he'll back his strength," Shastri said while speaking on Star Sports.
Some might see Pant's aggressive style as disregarding the pitch conditions. However, Shastri views this as a sign of his confidence and skill. Pant's clear thinking and ability to pick his shots decisively allow him to play his natural game, regardless of the wicket's difficulty. This, according to Shastri, makes him a dangerous batsman in any situation. Additionally, former Australia skipper Steve Smith too chimed in to praise Pant's technique and adaptability, further highlighting his well-rounded talent.
"I think he'll look to use the pace as much as possible with the seamers and spinners. He will look to play that reverse and slog sweep that he plays really well. I thought he played really nicely the other day against Pakistan. He'll be looking to back it up again today," Smith said.
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