Rishabh Pant, the ultra-aggressive 20-year-old batsman and wicket-keeper, has been picked in the Indian Test team, and his ‘A’ team coach Rahul Dravid feels it’s a positive development.
Pant has made a name for his blitzes with the bat, scoring heavily – and quickly – for India Under-19s, Delhi Daredevils, Delhi and other teams he has played for at various levels.
Always thought of as a cinch to make the Indian short-format teams, Pant has played four T20Is already with limited success, so his call-up to the Indian Test team for the tour of England in August-September came as a bit of a surprise.
The Indian Test team is without Wriddhiman Saha, the first-choice wicket-keeper, and Dinesh Karthik has been picked as the primary gloveman, with Pant as his understudy.
“He showed that he could bat differently. He has the temperament and skills to bat differently,” said Dravid.
“He is always going to be an attacking player but reading of the situation when you are playing red ball cricket is required. We are glad he has been picked in the national team and I hope he takes this maturity into the national team and hopefully builds from thereon.”
The first England v India Test starts at Edgbaston on August 1.
