Former England captain Michael Vaughan sought advice from Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant on how to beat Australia at home. Rishabh Pant suggested that cuts and pulls are more effective strategies than hitting the ball due to the pitch conditions.
Rishabh Pant played a key role in India’s recent Test series wins against Australia away during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours. The Indian cricket team remains the last team to defeat Australia in their own country, winning both series by a 2-1 margin.
During the 2018-19 tour, the Indian batsman scored 350 runs in 7 innings at an impressive average of 58.33, his highest score being 159. Similarly, in the 2020-21 tour of Australia, he amassed 274 runs with a average of 68.50, including two half-centuries.
The 26-year-old batsman played an unbeaten innings of 89 runs off 138 balls, with nine boundaries and sixes. His crucial runs contributed to India’s historic victory at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2021, where the Indian cricket team stormed Australia’s fortress.
They already know what to do – Rishabh Pant
During a conversation on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, Rishabh Pant advised focusing on playing cut shots instead of hitting the ball due to the pitch conditions.
“They already know what they have to do. As a batsman, he would say one simple thing, instead of hitting the ball, he looks to cut it. That’s what I would say (to England’s Bazballers). Because when you hit the ball there is a better chance of getting caught or just going out. Australia is the best place for cuts and pulls. The fuller ball won’t bother you much. Mainly it will be length. These guys bowl the fuller ball a little further from the off stump. In England you can hit the ball better,” Pant said.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan sought advice from Rishabh Pant on how to beat Australia in Australia. pic.twitter.com/Q9VZ3i5AUj
— Duck (@DuckInCricket) March 14, 2024
England faced successive defeats on their last three Ashes tours to Australia, including a whitewash in 2013-14 and 0-4 defeats in the subsequent series. The England national cricket team is scheduled to tour Australia again for a five-match red-ball series in 2025-26.
Don’t put me in such a place – Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant shared his thoughts on taking 20 wickets in Australia, emphasizing the importance of pace in such conditions. He suggested that players who exceed 140 kmph could have a significant impact on Australian pitches compared to those who play at 130 kmph.
“You need a little more pace in Australian conditions. Balls at 130 kmph are the best for a batsman in Australian conditions. If you have a bowler doing over 140 kmph, that makes a big difference,” Pant said.
Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant brutally punches Michael Vaughan in front of him, Adam Gilchrist bursts out laughing