Few cricketers have transformed their role in the game the way Adam Gilchrist did. The former Australian wicketkeeper-batter was a trailblazer, redefining what was expected from a player behind the stumps. Known for his explosive batting style and relentless aggression, Gilchrist added a new dimension to the traditional wicketkeeping role.
Slotting in at number six or seven, he would often arrive at the crease when the opposition hoped to wrap up the innings quickly — only to find themselves under siege. With a strike rate that was almost unheard of in Test cricket at the time, Gilchrist’s counterattacking brilliance regularly turned matches in Australia’s favour. Gilchrist wasn’t just a game-changer for Australia — he became a global template for how wicketkeeper-batters could be genuine match-winners.
Greg Chappell explains why he sees shades of Adam Gilchrist in Rishabh Pant
Former India coach and legendary Australian cricketer Greg Chappell has now drawn parallels between Gilchrist and India’s Rishabh Pant, calling the latter a “match-winner” with the ability to keep opposition bowlers guessing. Chappell praised Pant’s flair and fearless approach, stating that the young Indian gloveman reminded him of Gilchrist during the recent Headingley Test against England.
“When I first saw him, he reminded me of Adam Gilchrist… a different sort of player, of course, but the impact a wicketkeeper can have with the bat at that level is enormous. You never quite know what to expect from Pant. He might dance down to fast bowlers or play an audacious ramp shot — he forces bowlers off their rhythm. He’s a match-winner and very nearly made the difference in that game,” said Chappell as quoted by India Today.
Chappell praised Pant for his ability to score runs at a rapid pace, highlighting how such brisk scoring provides teams with the extra time needed to push for victory in Test matches. He described Pant’s performance as phenomenal and noted that many of his shots defy conventional cricketing techniques, showcasing his unique style. According to Chappell, Pant is not just performing well — he’s actively reinventing the role of a batsman in modern cricket, making him a thrilling player to watch.
“The beauty is Rishabh gets runs at a very fast rate which gives you time to win cricket matches. His was a phenomenal performance. Some of the shots he played weren’t in the MCC playing manual. He is really reinventing the game as a batsman. He’s exciting to watch,” added Chappell.
Also READ: Elite list of 5 Indian batters with away twin centuries ft. Rishabh Pant
Pant dazzles with twin tons at Headingley despite India’s loss
Pant once again underlined his status as one of the most dangerous batters in world cricket with a stellar performance in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. The southpaw struck centuries in both innings — a rare and remarkable feat that placed him in an elite group of wicketkeepers to have achieved it in Test history. Pant’s attacking instincts were on full display as he took on the English bowling attack with his trademark flair. His counterpunches helped India recover from tricky positions in both innings and set a formidable target of 371 for the hosts. Despite Pant’s heroics, the match slipped away from India as England, led by a record-breaking fourth innings run-chase, clinched a memorable victory.
Also READ: Is Rishabh Pant India’s best wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket history? Numbers tell the story
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