The Australian Test cricket team seem to target more over the wicket bowling vs Pant after discovering the wicketkeeper-batter’s weakness in this area. Aussies took full advantage of the player’s inferior response rate at this angle to heavily restrict his performance at the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.
Where is Rishabh Pant Weakest as a Wicketkeeper-Batter?
Pant’s performances in recent years vs teams like Australia and New Zealand shows he has trouble reacting to balls from an over the wicket angle. The talented batter rarely encounters issues vs round the wicket balls, managing 0 dismissals from 194 balls in 2021 and 2022 as a Test batter.
However, over the wicket balls has seen Pant give up 10 dismissals from 383 balls at a 22.1 average. Teams like New Zealand and Australia have learned to exploit this obvious weakness in recent Test meeting vs India. Results are not looking good for the Men in Blue if these teams keep chipping away at chinks in Pant’s previously-impregnable armour.
How Did Australia Find the Crack in Pant’s Armour?
Pant’s inferior performances vs New Zealand evidently caught the attention of Australia’s strategists. Black Caps bowler Matt Henry exploited the fact that Pant struggles to respond to over-wicket balls from right-handed pacers.
Henry executed New Zealand’s plan to perfection, ultimately shutting out India’s talismanic wicketkeeper from any big-hitting rallies. The Black Caps grasping Pant’s weakness has put the player under pressure, as evident in his recent December 2024 performance in Brisbane.
Has Rishabh Pant Played Well vs Australia in Recent Years?
Rishabh has had a mixed outing vs Australia since his debut against one of India’s biggest cricket rivals. Here’s how the talented cricketer has fared vs Australia away from home since his Test debut:
2018
Rishabh got his Test debut vs Australia in 2018. He showcased intense attacking abilities throughout that year’s Border-Gavaskar series. Pant managed 25 and 28 scores in the Adelaide Test of that year, recording an aggressive strike rate at 175 during his second appearance in the first series.
The next Test at Perth revealed even more attacking instinct from Pant as he scored 39 and 33 runs respectively. His contribution helped position Team India for an easy win.
Sydney was another venue in the series where Pant got into the spotlight. An unbeaten 159 from 189 balls rallied India to a much-needed victory against Australia. Pant’s century in the innings saw 15 boundaries and a six go past Australia, putting the host’s chances of victory in jeopardy.
Pant’s contribution vs Australia ensured India put their hosts to the sword on their way to a memorable series win.
2020
Pant played no part in the first Border-Gavaskar Test of 2020, but featured in the second playing XI for their Boxing Day Test. Recording 29 off 40 balls in his first innings offered significant support to India as they sought to chase Australia’s target. His contribution throughout the second Test helped the team pull level after going down in the first meeting.
2021
Pant showcased match-winning skills vs Australia in 2021. His remarkable 97 off 118 balls in the second innings was enough to decimate Australia’s batting attack. Pant’s swashbuckling hits left the Sydney crowd spellbound, as he almost singlehandedly ensured an India win.
The team will settle for a hard-fought draw; however, throwing the series of 2021 wide open. Pant was at his best once more vs the Aussies in Brisbane, taking the Gabba faithful on an exhilarating experience with adept batting. He managed an 89 off 138 balls, managing to steer India to an easy chase of 328 runs.
Many cricket fans credit Pant with India’s series win of 2021 vs Australia. He managed to ensure the team broke a three-decade streak by registering consecutive series wins Down Under.
2024
Pant returned to face Australia in 2024 after staying out of professional Test cricket for 2 straight seasons. However, fans have not had a treat from Rishabh vs Australia since his recovery from injury. He managed 37 runs and a run across two innings in Perth as India fell to a bitter defeat.
His Adelaide outing was more aggressive; however, he could only manage a 90.3 strike rate while recording 21 and 28 runs in two innings. Pant’s outing in Brisbane was much worse, as he was dismissed for 9 and didn’t feature in India’s second innings.
How Many Matches Has Rishabh Pant Played So Far?
Pant has been a part of 41 Test matches since his debut. As of December 2024, the cricketer has recorded 2,780+ runs at a 42.25 average in this format. His haul includes 6 centuries and 14 half-centuries. Pant’s unbeaten 150 off 189 balls is his highest score in Test cricket.
