Sourav Ganguly backs Rishabh Pant as an all-time great in Tests

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is confident that Rishabh Pant possesses all the attributes needed to become one of the all-time greats in red-ball cricket. Pant, a dynamic keeper-batter, has already made a significant impact on the national team. In his 33 Test matches, he has accumulated 2,271 runs at an average of 43.67. His contributions were crucial in India's victories over Australia in the 2020-21 season and during the away series against England the following year. Pant’s career faced a setback due to an injury that sidelined him for nearly 18 months. However, he has recently made a successful return to red-ball cricket. In the opening game of the Duleep Trophy, the 26-year-old showcased his skills both as a batsman and as a wicketkeeper, performances that have earned him a call-up for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Ganguly, reflecting on Pant's journey, emphasized the significant impact Pant has had on Test cricket. He expressed admiration for Pant’s achievements and was not surprised by his performances, given his potential and past contributions. However, Ganguly also pointed out that Pant needs to focus on improving his game in shorter formats to fully realize his potential and enhance his overall cricketing career. As Pant prepares for the Bangladesh series, his continued development in all formats will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.

“I consider Rishabh Pant one of India's best Test batsmen. I'm not surprised that he's back in the side, and he will continue to play for India in Tests. He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this. For me, he needs to get better in the shorter formats. With the talent he has, I'm sure with time, he will become one of the best,” former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said while talking to the press in Kolkata.

Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that Mohammed Shami is expected to make his return to professional cricket before India’s tour of Australia later this year. Ganguly reassured fans that, despite Shami's absence, India possesses a formidable bowling unit, which has performed admirably in his stead. He expressed confidence in the current squad's ability to maintain high standards in Shami's absence.

Looking ahead, Ganguly highlighted that the spinners are likely to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to start on September 19. He suggested that the spin bowlers will be crucial to India's strategy and success in the series, reflecting his belief in their ability to make a significant impact. Ganguly’s comments underscore his faith in the team’s depth and skill, particularly in the spin department, as India prepares for this important series. With Shami’s anticipated return and a strong spin attack, India is well-positioned to face the challenges ahead and continue their competitive form in international cricket.

“I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It's still a very good attack. In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment it won't be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team,” Ganguly added.