Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Rishabh Pant has been in great form since his return to Test cricket. He averages over 62 in Australia and could be a key player during the tour of Australia.
The 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) will kickstart with the first Test at Perth from November 22. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill missing in the XI that will take the pitch at Perth due to various reasons, Rishabh Pant’s performance holds the key to India’s chances not only in the first Test, but also in the series.
Pant is currently the in-form India batter with some runs under his belt even as India lost a Test series at home against New Zealand. Since his comeback to Test cricket, after a year layoff due to an accident, Pant has hit form straight away, outshining even his senior partners in the recently concluded home series.
Here’s how Pant has fared in the five home Tests recently since his return to international cricket.
| Tests | Runs | Average | 50s/100s |
| 5 | 422 | 46.88 | 3/1 |
It’s not just his current form but his past performances in Tests in Australia that make him the most prized wicket for the Aussies. It may be recalled that the last Test series in Australia in 2020-21 was won after Pant cracked 89 not out to win the fourth Test at Brisbane. Overall, Pant has been one of the best India batters in the last two Test series in Australia.
Here’s a look at how Pant has performed in each of the last two Test series in Australia he has been part of.
| Series | Tests | Runs | Average | 50s/100s |
| 2018-19 | 4 | 350 | 58.33 | 0/1 |
| 2020-21 | 3 | 274 | 68.50 | 2/0 |
| Overall | 7 | 624 | 62.40 | 2/1 |
Read More: BGT 2024-25, AUS vs IND Tests: Key match-ups to look forward to
What makes Pant lethal in Australian conditions?
Rishabh Pant is a player who takes the opposition off guard with his counter-attacking innings, saving and winning matches in Australia. His 97 in the Sydney Test in the 2020-21 series helped India draw the game. In the last Test at Brisbane, he took India home to a memorable series win with a knock of 89 not out in the fourth innings.
All his innings in Australia show that he is not buckled down by any pressure, scorecard or the bowling attack. He takes an attacking route to throw opposition and their plans off balance. Besides, Pant is not just about hitting the sixes and fours; instead, he brings a calculated assault on the opposition bowlers – defending the good balls, and anything pitched on his arc is smashed.
His style of scoring quick runs by putting the bowlers under pressure keeps his batting partner relaxed and the scorecard kicking. And thus, it helps India make a match of it. Pant’s runs in the middle-lower order are worth in gold and it has saved India from many blues in not only Australia’s soil but across the cricketing world.
Pant is also entertaining to watch as he makes a quality bowling attack look toothless. His batting pushes the opposition captain to the brink and devoid of ideas as Australia found out in the last Test series against India down under. Pant’s hunger for runs is also insatiable, although fans would like him to convert his 90s to tons more often.
Read More: In Rohit Sharma’s absence, India’s leadership group needs to rise to the occasion
Will Pant live up to expectations in BGT 2024-25?
Pant has already played in two series wins in Australia. He knows the conditions, opposition bowling attack, and even their strategies to the brim. He is now a veteran of playing in those conditions, and being the senior horse now, it is his duty to guide younger players such as Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and others.
This time, a lot of eyeballs will be on Pant as India go through their transition in the Test batting department. Hence, it would be extremely vital for Pant to live up to expectations and inspire a generation of young talent.
Read More: Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Top 5 performances by India batters over the last 10 years in Australia
