Former Australia captain and current coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 team Delhi Capitals, Ricky Ponting says that Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is just like their captain Virat Kohli and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, in what comes as one of the biggest praises for the budding young cricketer.
Pant has taken the cricketing world by storm with his splendid performances across formats which also saw him being bestowed with the captaincy of Delhi Capitals, after the regular captain Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of IPL 14 due to a shoulder injury.
Pant has overcome criticism from both fans as well as Indian team management after his reckless play saw him losing confidence among all parties. The young left-handed explosive batsman has learnt to bat with more responsibility, because short with great calculation and at the same time not playing against this style which has impressed one and all the most.
The 23-year-old has played key roles in India’s twin series wins for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which means that he has successfully established himself as one of the most sought-after cricketers who are going to be seen in the international circuit for next many years, and also someone who can be described as Australia’s nemesis in the longest format of cricket.
“Someone like him (Pant), you want him to get involved in the game as early as possible, and bat for as long as possible,”
Ponting was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s website.
“The way he thinks, he is actually a bit like Virat (Kohli) or Kane (Williamson). Now, if they are in at the end, you are going to win more often than not no matter how many runs are required. He is energetic and you can hear that from behind the stumps, he loves being in the contest and he is a winner,”
the DC coach was all praise for his captain.
“…he’s just brilliant. The comparisons are always going to be always there for someone who bats like that,”
said Ponting when asked if Pant was in the same mould as former Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.
“Gilly’s keeping is better than Rishabh’s no doubt about that. The way I saw him keep on turning pitches in India (vs England), I thought he kept way better than I thought he could,”
said Ponting.