Rishabh Pant Revolutionizes Cricket, Says Greg Chappell: Daring Play Redefining Batting

Greg Chappell believes Rishabh Pant is transforming the sport with his unconventional batting style. The former India coach lauded Pant's match-winning capabilities, emphasizing his significant impact during the Headingley Test.

India faced defeat at Headingley, but Pant's remarkable performance, highlighted by centuries in both innings, underscored his ability to shift the game's momentum.

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

Chappell praised Pant's rapid scoring rate, which creates opportunities to win matches. He marveled at Pant's innovative shots, stating they likely weren't part of traditional coaching manuals. "He is reinventing the game as a batsman," Chappell noted.

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

Speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai, Chappell highlighted the influence of modern technology and bat designs on Pant's unique shot selection. "You never quite know what to expect from the first ball at any stage. He's likely to jump down the wicket to the fast bowlers, or he'll play the falling ramp shot. You never quite know what to expect, so it keeps the opposition on their toes," said Chappell.

Chappell, considered among the best Australian batters post-Don Bradman, compared Pant to Adam Gilchrist, another celebrated wicketkeeper.

"What an exciting cricketer, what a player to have on your team," he exclaimed. "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."

Gill's Captaincy: A Promising Beginning

Chappell also commented on Shubman Gill's captaincy debut, believing he 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, "So he will have learned a lot from that... He will only get better and better as a captain... but I think he made a very good start as captain."