“Following his struggles in Australia, he implemented significant changes to his defensive techniques and reduced his aggressive play, which was evident during the match. Pant is a game-changer,” Pant’s childhood coach Devender Sharma shared with PTI Videos in an exclusive interview.
“Prior to his trip to England, we reviewed his defensive approach since his performance in Australia was subpar. We agreed he would prioritize fewer riskier shots and concentrate more on his batting in that environment. The conditions in England are different; they offer more movement,” he added.
Pant put in considerable effort off the pitch and delivered an exciting innings that included 12 fours and six sixes, kicking off the English summer on a positive note. He also surpassed MS Dhoni to claim the record for the most centuries by a wicketkeeper in the longest format, reaching three figures three times in England and seven times overall. Notably, he has been dismissed in the 90s seven times as well.
Sharma acknowledged Pant’s capacity to bat with patience and play from a deeper position on the field.
“He scored a century the last time he was in England too. He has a lot of time when he’s batting, which contributes to his success in that nation. Playing from a deeper position gives him a considerable edge,” he emphasized.
Pant hit a six to reach his century and subsequently marked his 3000 Test runs, having recorded 15 half-centuries and maintaining an average of 44 overall. Sharma believes the southpaw can replicate this success across other formats. Previously, Pant’s last century came against Bangladesh in Chennai in September, where he scored 109 upon returning to the team after a nearly two-year injury hiatus.
“I believe Rishabh is capable of playing all three formats. Though he isn’t currently in the team, I trust he will bounce back after his IPL experience. If you are a quality player, you will excel.”
First Published: Jun 22, 2025 5:46 PM IST
