"You don't want to get into his software in any way" - Former India batter feels Rishabh Pant can deliver his best only if he plays his natural game

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that attempts should not be made to tweak Rishabh Pant's batting style as he is most dangerous when he plays his natural game. Referring to the southpaw's record in Test cricket, Manjrekar pointed out that he wouldn't have been averaging 40 if he was only a slogger.

Pant came in for criticism over his dismissals while attempting aggressive strokes in both innings of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. There were also rumors of him being dropped for the ongoing Test in Sydney. He was, however, retained and has proved to be a standout performer for India with the willow in the fifth and final Test of BGT 2024-25.

After compiling a defiant 40 off 98 balls in the first innings, he clobbered 61 off only 33 balls in India's second innings on Saturday, January 4. The dynamic left-handed batter struck six fours and four sixes to keep India's hopes afloat in the Test match.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar hailed Pant's batting effort and opined that he must be allowed to play his natural game because that has brought him most success in red-ball cricket. He commented:

"If it was just him taking a chance, if it was just madness, he would not be averaging 40 in Test cricket. He would not have had that kind of a record. You've got to respect what he has. When he got out, if you saw his reaction, he aims for the sky. He would have got a 120-130 in quick time and then the match is sealed for Australia. They have no chance and that is what you get with Pant."

"You don't want to get into his software in any way. He has to play the way he thinks best," Manjrekar added.

Speaking about Pant's blazing knock in the second innings in Sydney, Manjrekar opined that it would be the big difference between the sides if India go on to win the Test. He elaborated:

"This is what Rishabh Pant is. And if India go on to win the game, it's Rishabh Pant's innings that's going to be the difference. He took the pitch out of the equation. On the same pitch, when top-class batters are struggling, he's forced the Australian captain to have fielders in the deep."

Pant's exceptional knock ended when he was caught behind attempting to slash a wide delivery from Australian captain Pat Cummins.

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Rishabh Pant's stats in BGT 2024-25

Team India's keeper-batter has got several starts in BGT 2024-25 but has failed to convert most. In nine innings in the series, he has scored 255 runs at an average of 28.33. The 27-year-old scored 37 & 1 in Perth, 21 & 28 in Adelaide, 9 in Brisbane, and 28 & 30 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Overall, the keeper-batter has played 43 Test matches in which he has scored 2,948 runs at an average of 42.11, with the aid of six hundreds.