Pat Cummins and Rishabh Pant. (Source – Getty Images)
Australia captain Pat Cummins has opened up about Rishabh Pan’t impact in Test cricket. In the last edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the keeper-batter was not a first-choice player but an injury-ridden squad meant Pant got his chances. The youngster also grabbed the chance with both hands, scoring 97 runs in the second innings of the Sydney Test which helped him seal his spot in the red-ball squad.
He went on to play a knock for the ages at Gabba in the fourth Test, which helped India win the series 2-1. Overall, Pant has played seven Test matches in Australia, having scored 624 runs at an average of 62.40. He has been extremely consistent in the longest format and is currently one of the best red-ball batters in the Indian time.
Cummins believes that Pant has the X-factor and can make a difference for India in the middle order. The ace pacer also lauded the 29-year-old for being funny behind the stumps and added that they are never sure which version of Pant will arrive on the field.
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“Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time. He’s always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you’re going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition. And he’s always got something to say behind the stumps—he’s very funny, makes me laugh,” Cummins said while speaking exclusively at Star Sports’ Press Room Border-Gavaskar Trophy Special.
We are going to miss Cameron Green: Cummins
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy owing to a stress fracture, for which he recently underwent surgery as well. Speaking on the same, Cummins noted that the team will miss his service very much, not only as an all-rounder but as a fielder as well.
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“As for Cam Green, he’s a big loss for us. Not only for his batting, but he’s probably the best gully fielder I’ve ever seen, and a great bowler we need as well, so we’re really going to miss him,” said Cummins.