India's success in Australia will hinge on the performance of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, according to former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly identifies Pant as the next-best red-ball batter after Virat Kohli and anticipates a significant impact from him in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which commences in Perth on Friday.
India's bid to secure a third consecutive spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final begins with the first Test of a five-match series in Perth. With Kohli struggling to regain his peak form and the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma and injured Shubman Gill in the initial Test, all attention will be on Pant, whose record against the WTC defending champions is exemplary.
Pant's aggressive style, though risky, has proven effective, particularly against Australia. His fearless innings in 2021, which led to a historic series win in Brisbane, exemplifies his impact. Ganguly, who has mentored Pant during their time with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, considers him a 'generational talent' who will play a crucial role in the upcoming series.
Pant's recent performances in Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he scored 422 runs at an average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 86.47, further underscore his prowess. His standout performance came during India's challenging opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where he scored a brilliant 99, partnering with Sarfaraz Khan to provide a glimmer of hope.
Ganguly also expressed strong support for Sarfaraz, emphasizing the need to provide opportunities before judging a player's suitability for challenging conditions. His comments highlight the importance of evaluating players' capabilities through diverse experiences rather than dismissing them prematurely.
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