"It's now clear that he will only play at No. 5" - Ajay Jadeja on Rishabh Pant batting ahead of KL Rahul in both innings of IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja reckons Rishabh Pant batting ahead of KL Rahul in India's both innings of the first Test against Bangladesh implies that the southpaw has sealed his place at No. 5. The former India captain also praised the Delhiite's aggressive approach towards the end of the second day's play.
Pant scored an unbeaten 12 off 13 deliveries as India ended Day 2 at 81/3 in their second innings in Chennai on Friday, September 20. The hosts bundled Bangladesh out for 149 in their first innings earlier in the day and have an overall lead of 308 runs.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja was asked about his thoughts on Pant walking out to bat at No. 5 when only a few minutes were left before Stumps.
"It is a massive decision because KL Rahul is a pure batter. You can understand in one innings because you wanted to make an impact. However, if you do it consistently and at this stage as well, when only six to eight minutes were left, if he only came out to bat, it's now clear that he will only play at No. 5," he responded.
The former India opener was also in favor of the attacking approach adopted by Pant once he arrived at the crease.
"The other batters who will come might get shifted up and down the order. I liked his approach. Maybe not conventional style because only 10 minutes were left and you had just come to bat but he is not a conventional player at all. That is why he is special," Jadeja stated.
Rishabh Pant joined Shubman Gill in the middle at the fall of Virat Kohli's wicket. He struck a four and a six off consecutive deliveries against Shakib Al Hasan and played an attacking shot for a single off Hasan Mahmud's bowling on the penultimate ball of the day.
"If Rishabh Pant is in your team, it's because he is special" - Ajay Jadeja
![Rishabh Pant scored 39 runs off 52 deliveries in India's first innings. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/eba0f-17268402864680-1920.jpg?w=500)
While acknowledging that he might have questioned Rishabh Pant's approach had he been dismissed, Ajay Jadeja added that the youngster's swashbuckling style makes him special.
"If he had gotten out, probably I would have also said that he should have waited a little but if you see the overall picture, if Rishabh Pant is in your team, it's because he is special. If he is special, expect special things from him, and this was a confirmation of that," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that even Rohit Sharma appreciated Pant's approach but opined that KL Rahul might be aggrieved about batting below him.
"If you hit a six at that stage and if your captain thinks differently, you wouldn't have seen a reaction like that. He would have said - 'What are you doing?', as that comes naturally. But the team's thought process is evident, that everyone will play as they play. His No. 5 spot is sealed and KL Rahul will be sad because of that," Jadeja observed.
Pant has amassed 2322 runs at an average of 43.81 in 58 Test innings. He has a much better record at No. 5, with his 772 runs in 12 innings coming at an outstanding average of 77.20.