Headline: Rishabh Pant: Greg Chappell Hails Indian Star as Cricket Revolutionary

Rishabh Pant is not just playing cricket; he's redefining it. That's the assessment of former India coach Greg Chappell, who believes Pant's unconventional approach to batting is breaking the mold and setting a new standard for the sport. Chappell emphasized Pant's match-winning capabilities, noting his significant impact on the game at Headingley.

Pant's centuries in both innings shone despite India's loss at Headingley © AFP

Despite India's defeat in the Headingley Test, Pant's brilliance was undeniable. He achieved a remarkable feat by scoring centuries in both innings, underscoring his ability to change the course of a game.

"The beauty of it is that he gets his runs at a very fast rate, which gives you time to win cricket matches," Chappell stated. He lauded Pant's phenomenal performance, highlighting that some of his shots were unprecedented. "He is reinventing the game as a batsman," Chappell added, praising the Indian wicketkeeper's innovative approach.

Pant's achievement places him in an elite category. He joins Andy Flower as only the second wicketkeeper-batter to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match.

Chappell acknowledged the impact of modern technology on the game, particularly the advancements in bat design. "Obviously, you can play shots that weren't possible with the old bats. But man, he's exciting to watch." He further noted Pant's unpredictable style, which keeps the opposition on edge. "You never quite know what to expect from the first ball at any stage. He's likely to jump down the wicket to the fast bowlers, or he'll play the falling ramp shot. You never quite know what to expect, so it keeps the opposition on their toes."

Drawing comparisons to another iconic wicketkeeper, Chappell likened Pant to Adam Gilchrist, widely considered one of Australia's finest batters after Don Bradman.

"What an exciting cricketer, what a player to have on your team," Chappell exclaimed. "When I first saw him... he reminded me very much of Adam Gilchrist. You know the difference that it can make to a team to have a wicketkeeper that can bat at that level and score runs quickly."

Gill's Captaincy: A Promising Start

Chappell also commented on Shubman Gill's performance as captain, noting that he had a good Test and is expected to improve with experience. "It was a terrific Test match. Sadly, India didn't finish up on the correct side, but there were a lot of good things that they did. Shubman Gill had a great start to his career as a Test match captain."

He added, "He will only get better and better as a captain... but I think he made a very good start as captain."