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"When I First Saw Rishabh Pant..,": Greg Chappell Compares India Star With Gilchrist

Rajgeeta Yadav

Rishabh Pant and Adam Gilchrist [Source: @diablo_kells/X.com and AP Photos]Rishabh Pant and Adam Gilchrist [Source: @diablo_kells/X.com and AP Photos]

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has set the cricket world buzzing after a historic performance in the first Test against England. The 25-year-old smashed centuries in both innings, becoming only the second wicketkeeper in the history of Test cricket to achieve this rare feat.

Despite India’s eventual five-wicket loss at Headingley, Pant’s fearless approach and explosive strokeplay won hearts and admiration, including from Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell, who compared him to the great Adam Gilchrist.

Pant’s innings were nothing short of spectacular. In the first innings, he hammered 134 runs off 178 balls, which included 12 fours and 6 sixes. In the second innings, he followed it up with a blazing 118 off 140 balls, studded with 15 fours and 3 sixes.

His bold strokeplay and aggressive mindset brought energy to the match and helped India post challenging totals in both innings.

Greg Chappell Applauds Pant’s Unique Impact

Former Australia captain Greg Chappell couldn’t help but praise Pant’s performance. Speaking to India Today, Chappell said:

“The beauty is Rishabh gets runs at a very fast rate which gives you time to win cricket matches. His was a phenomenal performance. Some of the shots he played weren’t in the MCC playing manual. He is really reinventing the game as a batter. With modern technology, the bats are very different and you can play shots which weren’t possible with the old bats. He's exciting to watch.”

Chappell highlighted that Pant’s ability to score quickly gives his team more time to win matches. 

“When I first saw him, he reminded me of Adam Gilchrist. A different sort of player, of course, but the difference it can make to a team when a wicketkeeper can bat at that level and to score runs quickly. You never quite know what to expect from him from the first ball. At any stage, he is likely to jump down the wicket to the fast bowlers or play the falling ramp shot. You never quite know what to expect. It keeps the opposition on their toes. He is a match-winner (and he) very nearly made the difference in that game," added Chappell.

Rishabh Pant Builds Crucial Partnerships With Gill And Rahul

The 27-year-old batter was not just a solo performer; he stitched two major partnerships that kept India in the contest. In the first innings, he shared a 209-run stand with Shubman Gill for the fourth wicket. Meanwhile, in the second innings, he added 195 runs with KL Rahul for the same wicket.

Both partnerships were crucial in setting up competitive totals and showed Pant’s growing maturity as a batter.

Even though Rishabh Pant’s career-best performance came in a match that India lost, it was a knock that fans and experts won’t forget. England chased down 371 in the fourth innings, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

India will now look to bounce back in the second Test starting July 2 in Birmingham.