Rishabh Pant all set to play in his first Test match? Rahul Dravid speaks out

Dravid is impressed by the temperament and skills of 20-year-old Rishabh Pant and believes that he can adjust his game according to the demand of the format and has progressed significantly.

Rishabh Pant, Rahul Dravid, Sanju Samson, Delhi Daredevils, IPL 2017 — Rishabh Pant and Rahul Dravid.IANS

Former Indian captain and current coach of the India A side, Rahul Dravid is all praises of young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant. The veteran cricketer said that Pant has the temperament and the technique to play in the longer format.

Speaking to bcci.tv, Dravid said:

He is always going to be an attacking player but reading of the situation when one is playing red ball cricket is required. We are glad that he has been picked in the national team and I hope he takes this maturity and builds from thereon. Rishabh has shown that he could bat differently. He has the temperament and skills to bat differently.

The IPL star is part of the Test squad

Rishabh Pant had managed to get the world to sit up and take note of his explosive batting in the Indian Premier League and also had a bumper Ranji season back in 2016. The 20-year-old cricketer has provided ample proof that he can adapt and adjust his game according to formats and situation.

Talking about the periods where Pant proved his mettle, Dravid said:

There were three-four innings where he showed that he is willing to bat differently. We all know the way he bats. Even during the 2017-18 (it was 2016-17) Ranji Trophy season, when he got 900 plus runs and his strike rate was 100 plus and we have seen him bat similarly in IPL as well.

Dravid, who has coached Pant since his Under-19 days, says that on the current trip (India A is currently in England), he challenged his ward to play according to the situation in different parts.

"On this trip, we challenged him a lot to bat according to the situation. He got a critical 64 not out in the One-Day tri-series final (England Lions), when he was the last recognised batsman. And also against West Indies A, he put on a 100 run partnership with Jayant Yadav (in successful fourth innings run chase)," Dravid said.

rishabh pant — Rishabh Pant of Delhi Daredevils in action during an IPL match between Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils in Rajkot on May 3, 2016IANS

The India A and Under-19 coach also believes that the format of the shadow A developed by the BCCI is a great one as it helps in building different players.

Having India A team tour before the national side (gets into action) opens up many possibilities in terms of preparation for both the sides. It also serves as motivation for many players for they know when they do well on A tours, they will be picked in the national team.