Bengaluru, India – As Day 4 of the gripping first Test between India and England unfolded, the cricketing world buzzed with discussions around the evolving techniques of Indian batsmen KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. On JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live’, expert commentators Deep Dasgupta and Sanjay Manjrekar offered sharp insights into England’s strategic use of the pitch, Rahul’s approach, and Pant’s remarkable ability to adapt and shift gears with growing maturity.
Pant’s Calculated Shift: A Sign of Maturity
Speaking after the first session on Day 4, JioHotstar expert Deep Dasgupta highlighted the challenging conditions and Pant’s intelligent response. “The pitch has changed a little bit. The English bowlers bowled really well — we have got to give it to them,” Dasgupta observed. “We have seen the ball rearing up every now and then with those cracks appearing and widening slightly. But the Indian batters handled it well.”
Dasgupta was particularly impressed with Rishabh Pant’s transformation. “Initially, Pant came in looking to counterattack, but he quickly realised it is not that kind of surface at the moment, and the bowlers were disciplined. This is the new, matured Rishabh Pant we are seeing — someone who understands the situation and adjusts his game accordingly.”
Rahul’s Defensive Mood: A Cause for Concern?
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in on KL Rahul’s batting approach. “When KL Rahul gets into this mood, it’s all defense — and then he struggles to capitalise even on loose deliveries,” Manjrekar noted. He drew a comparison with Cheteshwar Pujara: “Now, someone like Pujara can afford to play like this because that’s his natural game — he’ll bat that way all day. But KL Rahul isn’t that kind of batter. He’s a beautiful blend of attack and defence, and when he leans too heavily on just one aspect, I start to worry for him.”
The Versatility of Rishabh Pant: From Aggression to Anchoring
Deep Dasgupta delved further into Rishabh Pant’s fascinating innings, highlighting his versatility. “The first phase of Pant’s innings was entertaining — he was trying to use the strong wind in his favour, playing those big shots. But he wasn’t quite convincing in the way he did it,” Dasgupta explained.
Then came the pivotal shift. “Then he decided to switch gears completely. And, this is the beauty of Pant — his cricketing mind is sharp. He abandoned the aggressive shots, went all-out defense, and did not play a single aerial shot after that. It reminded me of how versatile he is.”
Dasgupta even drew an unexpected parallel to India’s defensive master. “This is the same guy, who, early in his Test career, once got a 29-ball duck. He can bat like Pujara for an hour or two. We’ve seen him play at a strike-rate of 30 for over an hour during hundreds that he has scored. It was fascinating to see the contrast — two very different versions of Rishabh Pant in one session.”
Pant’s display on Day 4 undoubtedly showcased a batsman growing in stature and understanding of the demands of Test cricket, proving he’s far more than just a swashbuckling attacker.
