Greg Chappell Hails Rishabh Pant as Cricket Revolutionary

Greg Chappell: Rishabh Pant Is Revolutionizing Cricket

Former India coach Greg Chappell believes Rishabh Pant is transforming the sport with his unconventional batting style. He lauded Pant as a "match-winner," recalling his near game-changing performance at Headingley.

India may have lost the Headingley Test, but Pant's brilliance shone through as he scored centuries in both innings © AFP

Despite India's loss in the Headingley Test, Pant's outstanding performance, including centuries in both innings, highlighted his ability to shift the momentum of a game.

Chappell emphasized Pant's rapid scoring rate, which creates opportunities to win matches. "His was a phenomenal performance - some of the shots that he played probably weren't in the MCC coaching manual when I last looked at it. He is reinventing the game as a batsman," Chappell stated, praising the Indian wicketkeeper's innovative approach.

Pant achieved a milestone by becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter, after Andy Flower, to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match.

Chappell acknowledged the influence of modern technology and advancements in bat design, enabling shots previously considered impossible. He highlighted Pant's unpredictability, noting his potential to charge fast bowlers or execute a falling ramp shot, keeping the opposition constantly alert. Chappell made these remarks at a promotional event in Mumbai on Wednesday, June 25th.

Drawing comparisons to Adam Gilchrist, another celebrated wicketkeeper, Chappell, a highly respected former Australian batter after Don Bradman, recognized Pant's similar impact.

Chappell remarked on what an exciting player Pant is. "When I first saw him, he was a different sort of player, of course, but he reminded me very much of Adam Gilchrist. You know the difference that it can make to a team to have a wicketkeeper that can bat at that level and score runs quickly."

Chappell also commented on Shubman Gill's captaincy debut, expressing confidence in his future growth. "It was a terrific Test match. Sadly, India didn't finish up on the correct side, but there were a lot of good things that they did. Shubman Gill had a great start to his career as a Test match captain." He added, "He will only get better and better as a captain."