‘Fascinating how Rishabh Pant’s impact has changed…’: Former Australian wicket-keeper

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant may not be fit to participate in the upcoming World Cup, but former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist remains captivated by the significant impact the talented wicket-keeper batter has had during his six-year association with the Indian national team.
Pant, who endured a severe car accident in December of the previous year, is presently undergoing a rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy(NCA) in Bengaluru.His return to competitive cricket is expected sometime next year.In Pant’s absence, KL Rahul will take on the wicket-keeping duties for India, and Ishan Kishan stands a good chance of featuring in the team as a specialist middle-order batter. Despite Pant’s temporary absence, his contributions and potential remain highly regarded by cricket enthusiasts and experts like Gilchrist.
“I think Rishabh has inspired a lot of wicket-keeper batters around the world to play that way (he does). It is fascinating for such a young man to have such an impact that Rishabh has had and others are responding and playing in that positive manner,” Gilchrist, who is in India on a promotional visit in Ahmedabad, said.

Gilchrist was impressed how Kishan has shaped up despite knowing that Rahul will be the first keeper.
“They (India) are well stocked. They have got a couple of options there, obviously when KL was out with his injury, Ishan Kishan took his opportunity and played really well and now they find themselves in the team together so that’s a wonderful case of taking an opportunity,” said the man who won three World Cups for Australia.
What Gilchrist found laudable was Kishan’s ability to force the selectors to keep him in the mix with consistent performances.
“Being positive and then and forcing the selectors into keeping you in the team so it seems like KL is gonna be the one who is going to continue with the gloves but it does not seem to hinder Ishan Kishan’s batting, he seems to be playing really well, carefree, attacking and dangerous,” he explained.
(With PTI inputs)