Why Rishabh Pant's Comparison With Gilchrist Has More Context Than Just Raw Numbers

Rishabh Pant and Adam Gilchrist [Source: AP, @BharathPandhiri/X]

The rise of Rishabh Pant in Test cricket has been inspirational, to say the least. The keeper-batter, who has been an integral member of the Indian Test side, recently had a dream start to the England tour, smashing scintillating hundreds in both innings of the Headingley Test. 

Pant's batting exploits in Leeds prompted a section of fans to compare him with the legendary Adam Gilchrist. While both cricketers are famous for their bold and aggressive style of play, this comparison holds more significance than raw stats and the clubbing of Pant and Gilchrist based solely on a common modus operandi.

Rishabh Pant vs Adam Gilchrist: What Do The Numbers Tell?

(Gilchrist and Pant in Tests)

If we look at raw data, Gilchrist seems the better among the two, having amassed more runs at a better average and strike rate. However, certain points must be considered to make this comparison appear valid and logical. 

Gilchrist Perfectly Fit In Australia's Golden Generation

Adam Gilchrist made his Test debut on November 5, 1999, while playing his final game in the format in January 2008. The swashbuckling southpaw hammered 5570 runs, the third-highest aggregate by an Australian batter in the format in this timeline. 

Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer headlined Australia’s dominance on the highest scorers’ chart, amassing 8115, 7981 and 6391 runs, respectively. 

With due respect to what Gilchrist achieved as an absolute destroyer of bowling attacks, it’s safe to say that he was blessed to be a part of the Australian setup that had outright match-winners throughout the squad. 

While the left-handed batter struck more than 5000 runs at a superb average and strike rate, Australia seldom asked him to score the bulk of runs, allowing him to persist with his fearlessness and aggression. 

He was the perfect number seven in the Australian batting unit, already studded with Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Martyn, Clarke and Michael Hussey. With these players providing the Aussies with a desirable start, Gilchrist did the accelerator’s job to perfection while batting lower down the order. 

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Rishabh Pant’s Ability To Ace Dual Roles Makes Him Special

(India's highest scorers in Tests since Pant's debut)

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s case is not exactly the same as Gilchrist, who had his entire Test career set up during the golden period of Australian cricket. The Delhi batter has been a part of team transitions, performing a variety of roles in challenging situations across continents. 

Be it bashing spin at home or countering formidable pace attacks on foreign soil, Rishabh Pant has done it all in his brief career so far. In an age where teams are preparing result-oriented wickets to stay alive in the WTC, Pant has nailed the role of an accumulator as well as an accelerator in tricky conditions. 

In the period between his maiden and latest Test appearance, Pant is India’s second-highest run-getter in the format. He is only 236 runs behind the top-ranked Virat Kohli while playing 17 innings less than the recently-retired talisman. 

Pant averages 44.4 in Tests, while his strike rate of 74.03 is the highest among the top 15 run-getters in the format since his debut.

Thus, his sheer ability to play as India’s most consistent as well as aggressive batter makes Rishabh Pant truly special in Test cricket. 

Conclusion

While it’s actually foolish to compare anyone with someone of Gilchrist’s stature, Rishabh Pant has already made rapid strides to surpass his idol in the format. 

The Australian great will truly remain special for all who started following cricket in the late 90s and early 2000s. But Rishabh Pant, the Test cricketer, is nothing short of a spectacle for the people whose hearts still beat for the purest format of the game. 

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