"When Rishabh Pant is in the crease, everyone is scared" - Ajaz Patel opens up on battle with Team India wicket-keeper in IND-NZ 2024 Test series
New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel acknowledged Team India wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant was their primary target during the recently concluded three-Test series. Patel felt the Black Caps always had their heart in the mouth until Pant was out in the middle.
The Kiwis completed a historic 3-0 whitewash in India with Patel playing a massive role in the final Test in Mumbai. The 36-year-old picked up 11 wickets in the contest to help New Zealand pull off a thrilling 25-run victory.
Despite India scoring only 263 and 121 in their two innings, Pant stood as the lone warrior with the bat. The southpaw smashed half-centuries in both innings at faster than run-a-ball to hold the Indian fort for as long as possible.
Speaking to NDTV Sports after the series win, Patel hailed Pant's ability to play his game irrespective of the situation.
"When Rishabh Pant is in the crease, everyone is scared. We targeted Rishabh Pant the most in this series. He doesn't fear when in the middle. He plays his game, no matter what. His philosophy is till the time you are on the crease, you do what you want to, if you get out, no problem," he said.
In a series where the Indian batting hit rock-bottom with a series of sub-200 totals, Pant still managed an impressive 261 runs at an average of 43.50 and a strike rate of almost 90.
Meanwhile, Ajaz Patel finished as the third leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets in the three Tests at an average of 23.80.
"You have the some of the best players, some of whom have even played in Australia" - Ajaz Patel
Ajaz Patel felt the New Zealand series defeat will have no bearing on India when they take on Australia down under in three weeks. The Kiwi spinner called the Indian players some of the best in world cricket and advised them to start with a fresh mindset in Australia.
"Conditions in Australia would be different. If you take this series into Australia, there would not be any benefit. You need to start with a new mindset. You have the some of the best players, some of whom have even played in Australia," said Patel.
He added:
"There would be pressure but wins and losses are part of the game. The important thing is to keep the trust and belief alive. You need to learn to focus on what's next in line and move on from what has happened."
India has defeated Australia in their last four bilateral Test series, including two down under in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
The highly anticipated 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin at Perth on November 22.