Rishabh Pant's "Revolutionary" Batting Style Is Reshaping Cricket, Says Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell Hails Rishabh Pant's Revolutionary Cricket Approach

Former India coach Greg Chappell believes Rishabh Pant is transforming the game of cricket with his unconventional and aggressive batting style. Chappell emphasized Pant's match-winning capabilities, noting his significant impact during the Headingley Test.

India faced defeat at Headingley, yet Pant's remarkable performance shone brightly. He achieved centuries in both innings, underscoring his unique ability to shift the momentum of a game.

Pant's centuries in both innings at Headingley highlighted his brilliance. © AFP

Chappell lauded Pant's rapid scoring rate, which he sees as essential for winning Test matches. "His was a phenomenal performance," Chappell stated, adding that Pant's shots often defy traditional coaching manuals. "He is reinventing the game as a batsman."

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

Chappell acknowledged the influence of modern technology and bats, enabling shots previously impossible. He highlighted Pant's unpredictability, noting his ability to attack fast bowlers or execute innovative shots. "You never quite know what to expect, so it keeps the opposition on their toes," Chappell remarked during a promotional event in Mumbai.

Drawing comparisons to another iconic wicketkeeper, Chappell likened Pant to Adam Gilchrist.

He emphasized the value of having a wicketkeeper capable of scoring runs quickly. "What an exciting cricketer, what a player to have on your team," he said. "When I first saw him, he was a different sort of player, of course, but he reminded me very much of Adam Gilchrist."

Chappell also commented on Shubman Gill's captaincy debut, suggesting he showed promise and will improve with experience. "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... I think he made a very good start as captain."