"Respect the first half an hour" - Sunil Gavaskar's advice for Indian batter ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

The fourth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test will kickstart on Thursday, December 26, in Melbourne. Ahead of the all-important game, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has offered some valuable advice to wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

Rishabh Pant is yet to come into his own in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 series. The Indian team will expect a big performance from him heading into the Melbourne Test.

While Pant is someone who likes to take the attack to the bowlers from the word go irrespective of the format, Gavaskar has advised the left-hander to take his time in the middle unless the situation is ideal for him to play his natural game.

"What Rishabh Pant has to do, like everybody else, respect the first half an hour; respect a little bit when he gets in there, whatever the position, unless, of course, India is 525 for 3; then he can tee off," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Gavaskar went on to point out how the Australian bowlers can trouble Pant in the BGT 2024-25 series going forward.

"...they get the ball to angle across. Pat Cummins and even (Josh) Hazlewood give him a little bit of a problem; Scott Boland will give him a little bit of a problem because Boland bowls around that area as well," he added.

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How has Rishabh Pant fared in the BGT 2024-25 series so far?

Rishabh Pant is remembered for his heroics at The Gabba during the 2020-21 tour. However, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has not put up a notable performance with the bat in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 series as of yet.

From five innings in three Tests so far, Pant has managed to score just 96 runs at an average of 19.20 with a top score of just 37. Pant is yet to score a half-century in this series.

He is among India's top batters and will be eager to come good with the bat. The last two Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively. India will need Pant to fire if they are to put pressure on Australia and push for a series win.