"The Indian team was able to win the last series because of him only" - Sunil Gavaskar on Indian batter not living up to expectations in BGT 2024-25

Sunil Gavaskar has opined that Rishabh Pant didn't live up to expectations in the recently concluded edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). He pointed out that the wicketkeeper-batter was expected to do an encore of his match-defining performances from India's 2020-21 tour of Australia.

India suffered a 1-3 defeat in the five-match series against Australia. Pant aggregated 255 runs at an average of 28.33 in his nine innings in the series.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar replied in the affirmative when asked whether Pant was expected to have a bigger impact on the BGT 2024-25.

"Yes, in the last tour that happened in 2020-21, he was the biggest difference. The way he batted in Sydney and Gabba, the Indian team was able to win the last series because of him only," he said.

The former India captain noted that the left-handed batter was expected to make big scores as he was accustomed to the conditions Down Under.

"The way he kept the Australian bowlers on the back foot in Sydney and then in Brisbane, the expectations will definitely be there because if he has scored runs on such pitches, the thinking will be that once he returns there, he should score good runs," Gavaskar observed.

Pant's only half-century in BGT 2024-25 was a belligerent 61 off 33 balls in India's second innings of the final Test in Sydney. He crossed 20 in six of his other eight innings but couldn't convert them into substantial scores.

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"You will also have to see that he returned from injury after a very long time" - Irfan Pathan on Rishabh Pant batting at No. 5 in BGT 2024-25

Rishabh Pant was away from competitive cricket for more than a year due to grievous injuries sustained in a car accident. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan noted that Rishabh Pant recently returned to Test cricket after a long absence.

"You will also have to see that he returned from injury after a very long time. After that, he is playing Test cricket in Australia and we are expecting him to play like that only. The difference between coming to No. 5 from No. 6 on such pitches is that if you bat after keeping for 100 overs and two wickets fall early, which were consistently falling, you don't have time for recovery," he said.

The former India all-rounder questioned whether Pant should have batted at No. 6 in BGT 2024-25.

"That's why there was a discussion about whether Rishabh Pant should bat at No. 6 only, especially in overseas conditions. It's not only about technique, he has the technique. He put his body on the line in the first innings and in the second innings (in Sydney), he sent the ball over the line. He has the perfect game for No. 5 but I am thinking about recovery as a wicketkeeper-batter," Pathan reasoned.

Pant has aggregated 907 runs at an average of 37.79 in 26 Test innings at No. 6. He has a better record at No. 5, amassing 1301 runs at an average of 54.20 in 26 innings.