'There are two batters in India...': Former Pakistan player lavishes praise on Rishabh Pant

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has drawn comparisons between dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and India's iconic opener, Virender Sehwag.
Pant made a breathtaking return to the Test format for India after surviving a life-threatening accident in December 2022.
His first innings saw a promising knock end at 39, but he bounced back with a splendid century in Chennai against Bangladesh in the opening Test.
Basit Ali remarked on his YouTube channel that both Pant and Sehwag used aggressive batting as a form of defense in Test cricket.

"There are two batters in India. The second is Rishabh Pant. The first one was Virender Sehwag, whose defence was attacking. He used to go after the boundary on the first ball. Rishabh Pant came, whose defence is attack. He plays shots and plays well against Bangladesh. He won hearts," Basit said on his YouTube channel.
On Day 3, Pant showcased his aggressive strokeplay on the benign surface of the MA Chidambaram Stadium to accumulate runs.
Partnering with Shubman Gill, the duo formed a 167-run partnership, helping India set a formidable target of 515 runs.
When Pant completed his century with a double, Virat Kohli stood up and applauded his remarkable achievement.
Pant's 109-run knock was a mix of front-foot and backfoot strokes. He relied on his backfoot game to handle the spinners, which allowed him to pick gaps with ease.
Occasionally, Pant advanced down the track aggressively to use the pitch to his advantage. In the 53rd over, he came forward to strike a half-volley off Shakib Al Hasan clear over the boundary.
His impressive innings, featuring 13 fours and four sixes, eventually ended when he returned a catch to bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The crowd applauded his sensational display as he walked back, blowing a kiss towards heaven.