Rishabh Pant and Tom Blundell [Source: @Kiwiscricketfan, @RishabhPant17/x.com]
While India are looking down the barrell in the second Test against Australia at Adelaide, New Zealand are going down the same fate in Wellington. Even though the New Zealand batters have failed to show resilience in the second innings of the match, Tom Blundell, the keeper batter of the team fought a lone battle for them.
Speaking of fighting lone battles, Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper batter of Indian team has established himself as one of the biggest match winners in Test cricket. Both these keeper-batters have been very useful for their team in the lower middle-order. Let us how they have fared in the purest format of the game, when compared to each other.
Rishabh Pant: Test Career
Categories
Numbers
Matches
40
Innings
70
Runs
2,780
Averages
43.43
50s/100s
14/6
Rishabh Pant has so far played 40 Test matches and has scored 2,780 runs in them at an average of 43.43. The Indian wicket-keeper batter has scored 14 half-centuries to go along with six centuries.
Tom Blundell: Test Career
Categories
Numbers
Matches
39
Innings
67
Runs
2,073
Averages
33.98
50s/100s
11/5
Tom Blundell has played 38 Test matches so far, and has scored 2,073 runs in them. The Kiwi keeper batter averages around 33.98 in the purest format of the game. While Blundell has 11 half-centuries under his belt, he has also scored five centuries.
Rishabh Pant vs Tom Blundell: Home Test Match Records
Categories
Rishabh Pant
Tom Blundell
Matches
13
22
Innings
21
36
Runs
1,061
1,106
Average
55.84
35.67
While Tom Blundell has scored more runs than Rishabh Pant in home Tests, the Indian star averages more than him. If we take a deeper look into the stats we will understand that as a batter and match-winner, Rishabh Pant has been more effective for his team than Tom Blundell.
Rishabh Pant vs Tom Blundell: Away Test Match Records
Categories
Rishabh Pant
Tom Blundell
Matches
26
17
Innings
47
31
Runs
1,674
967
Average
38.93
32.23
In cas of away Test matches, Rishabh Pant has been an absolute match winner for India. Four of his six Test centuries has come away from home. However, he averages around 38.93 in 26 matches away from home. On the other hand, Tom Blundell has scored runs at an average of 32.23 on away Test matches.
Conclusion
When it comes to comparison in Test cricket, Rishabh Pant has had more impact for his team than Tom Blundell. Even the numbers are in favour of Pant. So, as far as Test cricket is concerned, Rishabh Pant has been the better player and the more effective contributor for his team.