Ajit Agarkar feels that Rishabh Pant should be given a little freedom

Veteran Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar feels that Rishabh Pant should have more freedom. With that, he can bring an X-factor to the team. The former pacer also believes that Pant has the ability to win matches for the Indian team.

Rishabh Pant's stroke-filled 97 helped prevent the hosts from winning and keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 alive. The southpaw displayed his immense hitting abilities as he took on Nathan Lyon's likes and fourth seamer Cameron Green. In fact, the 23-year-old also dealt with the short balls of pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. His destructive innings went a long way in helping India secure a draw on the fifth day of the Sydney Test.

Pant has the ability to win matches single-handedly: Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar further stated that Rishabh Pant's promotion and brilliant knock had resulted from the third Test match. Agarkar mentioned that he has always been a fan of the wicketkeeper-batsman. He believes that the youngster has the ability to win games single-handedly.

However, the veteran feels that Wriddhiman Saha is a better wicket-keeper between the two. He observed that Rishabh Pant should have played the first Test match because of his match-winning abilities. Ajit Agarkar concluded the discussion by stating that Pant is still young and he deserves more freedom to express himself on the crease. He further went on to praise the southpaw's aggressive batting while facing Nathan Lyon.

Another commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar also observed that Pant has a method to his batting and is not just a slogger. It was apparent in the way was playing the Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon. The former cricketer also said that Pant caused many problems to the off-spinner by attacking him both off the front foot and the back foot.

Rishabh Pant's blazing knock had given an outside chance of winning the Sydney Test. The men in blue were eyeing a historic win till Pant was at the crease. However, with injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and Vihari, the Indian team had to shift their focus towards an inspiring draw. Hanuma Vihari, who was terrible in the first two matches, exhibited what Test cricket is all about. The 27-year-old battled over three and a half hours along with Ravi Ashwin. India’s upcoming fourth and final Test against Australia will be starting on January 15 in Brisbane.

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