I do see a failure waiting to happen if India perseveres with Pant at #6.. He was very lucky against us. Can be reckless and play away from his body. India really needs a specialist, a solid technician in this spot in my view.
Has Bairstow been taking technical lessons as last time I saw him against us at home he had a shocker series. It was evident he was losing his wicket due to his playing too far away from his body as so many batsmen do who perhaps play more white ball cricket than red ball. I know there are several Australian players that continue doing this. I remain baffled as to how they reached FC level to be honest.
They were good against us in the Ashes but playing pace and playing spin are worlds apart. So you say as they are incompetent against spin that they are vulnerable and should not be chosen on turning pitches. What do the ECB think as they picked them in the touring squad? I have often maintained that a batman's spin play ability needs to be considered first before selection when touring the sub continent.
I have no idea if this is true, honestly, it probably isn't true and might just be a rumour since our spinners have been key to our victories in the past and letting go of a tried and tested method against a good English side isn't really the time.
Nah! You guys were just mediocre! He wasnt lucky, he played two sensational innings against a pretty mediocre side. One inning is luck, two innings is not. He had one drop catch in the Sydney test but in Brisbane, he was really good, calm and patient. India’s top 5 are pretty solid in Gill, Sharma, Puji, Kohli and Rahane. Need someone different like Pant who is a game changer.
Think you're pretty far from the mark on this take.
I think his 160 @27 in England and his 60 @16 in New Zealand, both places where the ball moves, accentuates my point. Your Mr Pant is a flat track bully.
While I agree that luck played a part in Australia (had Paine not missed those chances off Pant in the 3rd and 4th Test, he would probably have been done and dusted at least for a season), but terming him a FTB is a bit unfair. He had a stellar series during his last visit to Australia too (are you saying that the Australian wickets are not bowler friendly). So I would wait for him to make future appearances in England and NZ before tagging him with a label as I assume those stats are for his first visit to the aforementioned countries.
Yes two of our attack were mediocre.. Starc and Lyon. We needed someone like Ash to bowl for us on the last day at Sydney and Brisbane. Our fourth seamer ws still feeling his way after a long injury layoff. Not really the series for CA to debut him imo.
I am not trying to antagonize you guys. I will be supporting India against Australia's old enemy.. But I rate Pant's technique no better than Aaron Finch or Jason Roy, Ben Stokes or .. dare I say Yuvraj Singh. All in my view are white ball FTBs.. I also reckon Warner is too. Are Rohit and Sehwag?
I don't think anyone here would claim that Pant bats with textbook technique. Infact, we have talked about how ugly he looks with his slog shots. All we agree on is that he is an impact player who can turn the match on its head. That we have no doubt about.
Yes he is an impact player.. the X factor if you will. Can turn a match on its head unless he fails early.. and that is on the cards I'd imagine more often than not on a deck that is doing something.. I hope he comes off against Australia's old enemy. I really do.
