Rishabh Pant (Source – BCCI)
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head recently picked one Indian cricketer who they believe is the “most Australian”. Both of them chose flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and went on to explain the qualities that make him similar to the Aussies.
Head, one of the most destructive batters in world cricket, said that it would be enjoyable to play alongside Pant because of the way he goes about his work. Meanwhile, Australia’s T20 skipper Marsh, who has played under Pant’s captaincy for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said that the 26-year-old is highly competitive for a guy who seems to be quite relaxed. Marsh mentioned that Pant loves to be on the winning side and lauded his comeback from a horrific car accident in December 2022.
“The Indian cricketer I believe is most Australian would be Rishabh Pant. I think the way he goes about his aggressive nature, the way he goes about his work, he’d be very enjoyable to play with,” Head told Star Sports.
“He’s a ripping bloke. I wish he was Australian. He’s obviously been through a lot in the last few years. Hell of a comeback. He’s a positive guy, he’s still very young, he loves winning. He’s highly competitive for someone who, I guess, has the persona of being relaxed – always laughing and smiling. He has got that big smile,” Marsh opined about the Indian wicketkeeper in the same video.
A look at Pant’s record versus Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Pant is going to have a key role to play in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The first Test begins in Perth on November 22. The last time India visited Australia to play a Test series, Pant came out all guns blazing and scored an unbeaten 89 in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba as the visitors won by a 2-1 margin. The Southpaw will hope to repeat his heroics this year as well.
Also Read: Wasim Akram calls Rishabh Pant ‘miracle kid’ after heroic comeback in Chennai
Pant has played seven Test matches so far against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has amassed 624 runs at a staggering average of 62.40 against the cricketing giants.