"He has got good defensive technique, bit like Dhoni"- Sanjay Manjrekar on misconceptions about Rishabh Pant after century in IND-BAN 1st Test 2024
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar felt Rishabh Pant boasts a good defensive technique like his predecessor MS Dhoni, contrary to popular belief. Pant equaled Dhoni with his sixth Test century in the second innings of the ongoing opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 21.
The 26-year-old is playing his first Test match since suffering an injury due to a car accident in December 2022. After scoring a valuable 39 in the first innings, Pant ensured to convert a second consecutive start into a three-figure score in India's second essay.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo at stumps on Day 3, Manjrekar feels amidst all the boundaries and big hits, Pant's defensive technique deserves praise [0:56].
"It's a misleading package we see with Rishabh Pant. Underneath that, you will see as many dot balls in his innings at Shubman Gill's so he is willing to also play the defensive game that we have seen many times in the past. He has got a pretty good defensive technique, bit like Dhoni, whose defensive technique was quite good. People talk about the leadership and the big-hitting power that Dhoni had, but his defensive technique was pretty good, and the same with Rishabh Pant as well," said Manjrekar.
He added:
"We've seen these phases but it's about Pant playing as per the situation, sometimes dependent on his mood but also very careful about choosing the right kind of bowlers as long as there were off-spinners bowling, he wasn't taking too many chances. So he is that kind of player who has his own way of getting runs and has his own agenda - a bit like Virender Sehwag. When India goes to Australia, that is when they truly need him."
Pant added a game-changing 167 for the fourth wicket with the other centurion Shubman Gill as India batted Bangladesh out of the contest, setting them a massive target of 515.
"If at all, he looks even better now" - Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar feels Rishabh Pant's batting has looked even better since his comeback from injury.
Pant was a vital cog in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies and the USA, batting at No.3.
"If at all, he looks even better now, only because there is one technical or stylistic aspect that has changed. The Pant of earlier you would often find being out of balance. He didn't care about it as long as the ball was landing in the second tier. That scenario you don't see now, even in the T20 World Cup and whatever cricket he has played after that. He has got a better balance, maybe not putting that much strain on his body," said Manjrekar [0:10].
Coming to the match situation, Bangladesh are struggling at 158/4 in their run-chase, requiring another 357 runs for victory with two days left.