India's wicketkeeper-batsman praised after match-changing century in the fourth Test against England
'A true match-winner': Gilchrist lauds Pant
India's team management often shields Rishabh Pant from criticism by calling him a "special talent" - and the 23-year-old has lived up to that billing once again.
The thrilling wicketkeeper-batsman, who inspired India to a series win in Australia with two bewitching innings, did it again on Friday, crashing a potentially match-winning century in the fourth and final Test against England.
Pant turned the game on its head with a spectacular late assault to put India in the box seat, leading former captain Sourav Ganguly and Australian legend Adam Gilchrist to take to Twitter to laud the "unbelievable" talent.
It’s not just about how many you get, but also when you get them. If you can somehow sync the first with the second, when the team needs it most, you’re a true match winner. Looking at you @RishabhPant17 👏%E2%80%94 Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 5, 2021
How good is he? Unbelievable..what a knock under pressure...not the first time and won't be the last time..will be an all time great in all formats in the years to come.keep batting in this aggressive manner .thats why will be match winner and special..@bcci @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/1cRmnSw5ZB%E2%80%94 Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) March 5, 2021
There were shades of Pant's brilliant innings in Sydney and Brisbane In January as he built to a brilliant 101 against England, striking 13 boundaries and two sixes to help put India in control, 89 ahead at stumps on 7-294.
He has been playing in this remarkable, fearless style ever since he made a counter-attacking 97 to secure a draw at the SCG and then blasted a match-winning 89 not out in the final Test win at the Gabba.
Against England, he's carried on his aggressive brilliance, scoring 91 in the opening Test in Chennai and a vital unbeaten 58 that helped India level the series in the second Test.
Yet this was even more audacious as, first, he helped India eclipse England's first-innings total of 205 before exhibiting a mesmerising array of strokes.
Pant particularly stood out for his treatment of Test cricket's most successful fast bowler when James Anderson ran in with the fresh second new ball in hand.
Pant stepped out to hit him for a boundary and, in Anderson's next over in one of Test cricket's most outrageous strokes, reverse-swept England's premier seamer for four to race into the 90s.
Equally impressive was how he brought up his 100, by going on one knee and sweeping England captain Joe Root for a six.
Image Id: 7CD944C0E0844BC9BA8C7842BACDC4DA Image Caption: Pant goes on the attack // Getty"I like to play according to the situation and I just see the ball and react to it, that's the USP of my cricket," Pant told Star Sports.
"I thought after assessing the pitch, I'm going to play my shots.
“Sometimes when the bowler is bowling well, like the other day, you have to give credit to the bowler also, and respect the ball. (If) you get a good ball, just look for a single or defend it."
Teammate Rohit Sharma highlighted Pant's worth after the second day's play.
"We need that spark in the middle and he brings that to us," Rohit told reporters.
"He is batting in his own style, which is absolutely fine from the team perspective, because he seems to be getting the job done, which is more important."
Pant's wicketkeeping skills may not impress all but there is little doubt about his batting potential.
Rohit said the team management had explained to Pant how he should approach his batting and was happy with how the left-hander paced his knock in Ahmedabad.
"In the first half of his innings, he was quite respectful (to bowlers), he was trusting his defence," Rohit added.
"With people like Pant, you need to back their skills, back their ability... Management completely understands that, and he's been given that freedom which is very, very important.
"It's a great sign. He'll flourish, he will give you these kind of knocks every now and then."