Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Pat Cummins identifies Rishabh Pant as key threat
What's the story
Australian cricket team captain, Pat Cummins, has identified Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a significant threat in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The five-match Test series is set to commence on November 22.
This strategic focus comes as India prepares for the series in Australia, following their ongoing home matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Here are further details.
Comeback
Pant's impressive return to Test cricket
Pant recently made a triumphant return to Test cricket, after a hiatus due to a car crash in December 2022.
In his comeback match against Bangladesh, he scored his sixth Test century, equaling MS Dhoni's record for most tons by an Indian wicket-keeper in this format.
Cummins compared Pant's aggressive playing style to that of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh from his own team.
Strategy
Cummins acknowledges Pant's influence on series
Cummins acknowledged the need to neutralize Pant's impact in the upcoming series, as Australia aim for their first Test series victory against India since 2014/15.
"He's someone that has a big influence in a couple of series and we have got to try and keep him quiet," Cummins said on Star Sports.
This strategy underscores Pant's importance in India's previous consecutive series victories in Australia.
Record
Pant's remarkable performance in Australia
Pant has an impressive record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in seven Tests with one century and two half-centuries.
His average stands at 62.40 with a strike rate of 72.13.
He was instrumental in India's series win in 2018/19, the first time an Asian team had beaten Australia at home, and his heroics continued into the 2020/21 series as well.
Outlook
Pant's future prospects in international cricket
Pant is anticipated to play a crucial role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and potentially the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final, if India qualify.
His recent performance has been instrumental in India's success, including their victory at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados.
Currently, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, India lead the WTC table with most points.