Rishabh Pant made a spectacular return to Test cricket with a superb century over Bangladesh in Chennai. It was Pant’s first international hundred since his return to international cricket after the life-threatening accident in December 2022.

Pant’s knock received huge appreciation from the cricket world and his childhood coach Devendra Sharma was equally pleased with his knock. Devendra called Rishabh’s innings “flawless” and even compared it to the one he played at the Gabba during India’s tour of Australia during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Devendra Sharma calls Rishabh Pant’s comment on Chennai ‘priceless’

After Rishabh Pant’s century, Devendra Sharma spoke to PTI and expressed his joy. He revealed that he was sad after Pant’s dismissal in the first innings but was relieved to have scored a hundred in the second innings.

“Obviously, I am very happy for Rishabh (Pant). In fact, he could have got a hundred in the first innings as well and I was a little sad that he didn’t get it. But he was impeccable today,” Devendra Sharma told PTI.

Devendra praised Pant for his knock and felt it would boost his confidence ahead of a long Test season.

“This hundred is an important innings for him as it is his first international ton since his return. It will be a big confidence boost for him ahead of the big Test season,” he said.

Pant had a great Test match in Chennai as he scored 39 off 52 balls in the first innings. He played an even better knock in the second innings and scored 109 off 128 balls to announce his Test comeback. Despite playing a Test match after a long time, he never looked uncomfortable at the crease.

After the series against Bangladesh, India will play a three-match Test series against New Zealand before travelling to Australia for a five-match Test series in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rishabh Pant will be crucial in these Tests as he has the ability to single-handedly change the game.

Devendra Sharma compares Rishabh Pant’s Chennai knock to that at Gabba

Devendra Sharma compared this knock to the one Pant played at the Gabba. He called it priceless and reiterated the importance of a Test century.

“The series-winning knock at the Gabba will always be special to everyone, but if you ask me as a coach about this knock, it is priceless and could not have come at a more opportune time,” Devendra said.

“Every player needs that confidence and whatever your achievements in white-ball cricket, it is your exploits in Test matches that you are remembered for,” he added.

Pant scored a valuable 89* to lead India to a famous victory at the Gabba during India’s tour of Australia 2020-21. His knock is still considered to be one of the best played by an Indian in overseas Tests. India beat Australia 2-1 in that Test series.

It was India’s second consecutive Test series win in Australia and Rishabh Pant played a major role in it. The upcoming tour of Australia will be equally important and India will be hoping that Rishabh Pant will be in top form for that series.