In a cricketing world where playing it safe is considered by many to be the golden rule, Rishabh Pant has once again broken tradition with his aggressive and unapologetic style of cricket.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his high-risk, high-reward approach, has been a frequent topic of debate and criticism among former cricketers and analysts for his style.
Rishabh Pant mocks England for copying his aggressive style in Tests
His latest encounter with popular content creator Tanmay Bhat came as a refreshing twist to the ongoing debate about playing it safe in Test cricket. When Bhat raised the question of why Rishabh Pant doesn’t follow a more conservative style of play, the Indian star responded in his trademark style when it comes to his fearless approach.
The left-handed batsman has pointed out the irony of how his own aggressive tactics were questioned in the past, only to be accepted now in the form of England’s ‘Bazball’ approach. He has not only highlighted his wit with his response but has also shed light on the changing dynamics of modern cricket.
His style, which was earlier considered too risky, has now become a trend among batsmen across formats. Rishabh Pant made the most of the opportunity and criticised English batsman Ben Duckett for taking credit for the aggressive style of play of Indian batsmen earlier this year.
Asked if he knows how to play it safe, Rishabh Pant said on Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel: “Abhi Bazball dekh rahe ho toh maza aa rha hai. Jab mein pehle kar rha tha toh acha nai lag rha tha kya? (When you watch Bazball, you enjoy it, but when I made it earlier, you didn’t like it or what?)”
Can someone show this video to Ben Duckett? pic.twitter.com/mwFucxP6db
— Aryan Don (@aryan68753) September 8, 2024
Amid England’s bold and controversial ‘Bazball’ strategy, which has sparked debates about its effectiveness and the future of aggressive Test cricket, Pant has stood firm on his style. During England’s recent tour of India, Duckett’s comments about the English team’s influence on the way teams like India approach Test cricket added fuel to the fire.
Ben Duckett gets a taste of his own medicine
Duckett suggested that England’s bold style of play had prompted Indian batsmen to rethink their approach. However, the success of the “Bazball” remains a topic of intense debate. Despite England’s success, they faced challenges in maintaining their aggressive stance in Test cricket.
Duckett had said during England’s Test tour of India earlier this year: “When you see players from the opposing team playing like that, it almost seems like we should take some credit for the fact that they are playing differently to the way other people play Test cricket.”
Notably, Rishabh Pant is all set to make a comeback in white when India hosts Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. The first Test will be played in Chennai from September 19, and Rishabh Pant has been named in India’s squad for the opening game of the Bangladesh Test series.
The second and final Test is scheduled to be played in Kanpur from September 27. Pant recently played in the ongoing 2024 Duleep Trophy and is expected to play his first Test in Chennai since his last Test appearance against Bangladesh in December 2022.
