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Sanjay Bangar praised Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting and talent, recalling Ashish Nehra’s prediction of his rapid rise.
Rishabh Pant scored a fifty despite a fractured toe (AP)
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar praised wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting approach and natural talent, recalling how Ashish Nehra had predicted the youngster’s rapid rise. Pant, known as an entertainer in the red-ball format, showcased his aggressive strokeplay in his four appearances during the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The 27-year-old concluded the series with 479 runs in four matches and seven innings at an average of 68.42, with two centuries and three fifties.
Bangar highlighted Pant’s aggressive mindset in the nets and praised him as a rare wicketkeeper-batter capable of featuring in the top five. Bangar mentioned that Nehra had once said Rishabh was a very good player who would progress quickly. He described Pant as a naturally gifted batter who was also fearless. Bangar observed this fearlessness in the nets, where Pant would ask bowlers to bowl quickly and aim at his body. At that time, Pant had just started playing in the IPL, validating Nehra’s assessment. Bangar noted that it had been a long time since India had found a wicketkeeper who could bat in the top five.
What Sanjay Bangar Said About Rishabh Pant?
“I had heard from Ashish Nehra that Rishabh is a very good player who’s going to progress very quickly. He is a naturally gifted batter. But, he’s also very fearless. I saw the first sign of his fearlessness in the nets itself. He used to tell the bowlers to bowl quickly and attack his body. Very few bowlers have had this mindset. He had just begun playing the IPL back then. So Nehra’s assessment was correct. After a long time, we’ve found a wicketkeeper who can bat in the top-5,” Sanjay Bangar was quoted as saying to Doordarshan Sports.
Pant was ruled out of the series finale at The Oval after sustaining a foot injury. In Manchester, a toe-crushing yorker from England pacer Chris Woakes struck him, forcing him to retire hurt on 37(54). He had to be taken off the field on a golf buggy. To everyone’s surprise, Pant returned to the field with a broken foot and received a heartwarming applause from the spectators. He added valuable runs, celebrated a hard-fought fifty, and with his flamboyance, propelled India to a total of 358.
(With inputs from ANI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
September 06, 2025, 22:31 IST
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