4 Ways Rishabh Pant Can Be Dismissed By Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh

Rishabh Pant is returning to Test cricket after nearly 20 months (X)Rishabh Pant is returning to Test cricket after nearly 20 months (X)

As the cricket world eagerly anticipates the return of India's flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, the focus sharply shifts to the strategies Bangladesh might employ to counter his aggressive playstyle in the Test series starting September 19. Pant, making a heroic comeback after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, is always a significant threat with the bat in the longest format of the game.

His last appearance in Tests was against Bangladesh in Mirpur, making the upcoming series an emotional full circle in his career. Rishabh Pant's approach at the crease is often marked by a fearless brand of cricket, which makes him a crucial figure in India’s batting lineup. However, his aggressive nature can also be his Achilles' heel if the opposition can cleverly exploit his weaknesses.

Let’s analyze how Bangladesh can dismiss Rishabh Pant in the upcoming IND vs BAN Test series:

1. Restricting Scoring Opportunities

Rishabh Pant is notorious for his swift counterattacks, particularly against spinners. His eyes light up at the sight of left-arm spin, against which he has piled runs with seeming ease. To throw a spanner in the works, Bangladesh must meticulously plan to keep him from facing his preferred bowlers.

This involves a tactical rotation of their bowlers and perhaps even altering their usual strategies to ensure Pant faces more of the bowlers he's less comfortable against. A well-known saying in cricket circles, starve the beast to tame it, applies here as Bangladesh needs to strategically deprive Pant of his favourite scoring options. 

By ensuring he faces fewer deliveries from left-arm spinners, Bangladesh can mount pressure, forcing Pant to potentially play rash shots against his natural game, leading to a mistake.

2. Exploiting the Reverse Swing

Pant's aggressive shot-making becomes more pronounced against full-length deliveries, a trait that can be double-edged. Playing with fire, Bangladesh's pacers can use the old ball's reverse swing to their advantage.

By maintaining disciplined lines and allowing the old ball to do the talking, they can entice Pant into playing his natural, expansive drives, increasing the likelihood of an edge to the slip cordon. Timing and precision in their delivery will be key to exploiting this phase of his innings.

3. Cramping Him Up For Room

Tactically, boxing in a batsman of Pant’s calibre requires accuracy. Bangladesh might look to bowl around the wicket, aiming for a tight, wicket-to-wicket line that cramps him for room.

Complementing this with a heavily stacked leg-side field could frustrate Pant, pushing him to attempt risky leg-side flicks or sweeps. Such shots increase the chances of a leg-before decision or a bowled dismissal if Pant attempts to overcompensate for the lack of room by shuffling too much.

4. The Wide Ball Gambit

Pant's tendency to reach for wide deliveries outside off-stump is a potential vulnerability that can be exploited with a mix of disciplined and deceptive bowling. By casting a wide net, Bangladesh can occasionally bowl significantly outside off-stump after setting him up with tighter deliveries.

This strategy could induce a false shot, as Pant might lose his shape and composure trying to dominate the bowling. The challenge for Bangladesh will be to execute this plan without becoming predictable, maintaining a balance between discipline and deception.