Legend Healy assesses Rishabh Pant's wicketkeeping as a 'work in progress' and warns of making wrong moves

Rishabh Pant faced a major setback on December 30, 2022, when a horrific accident left him with multiple injuries. His car collided with a crash barrier, flipped over, and caught fire, but fortunately, he managed to survive. Pant was immediately taken to a nearby hospital and later airlifted to Mumbai for surgery and extensive treatment. After a long and challenging recovery process, Pant made his comeback in the IPL 2024 season. His determination and hard work paid off as he returned to international cricket in the T20 World Cup. Pant played a crucial role in India's successful campaign, helping the team secure the coveted title. His inspiring comeback story is a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit.

Pant is currently in action for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On his return, he immediately re-established himself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper, and has been performing that role with ease in Australia.

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Australian legendary wicketkeeper Ian Healy is of the opinion that Pant is still a ‘work in progress’. Analysing his wicketkeeping style, Healy told the Indian Express, “Rishabh Pant is a work in progress, but I saw him in the mornings and like the drills he is doing; he is bound to improve more. At times, as he did when he dropped a catch in this series earlier, he can make an initial wrong movement. Some keepers like to move a touch to their left first and then press from there. It’s better to be still and if you can’t, then you start that trigger movement a touch early so that by the time the ball is out there, you can still press to the right side. One of those two decisions have to be made.”

Pant’s batting performances in the ongoing series has been below-par, and he has managed only 96 runs in three matches (five innings). The series is level at 1-1, with the third fixture ended in a draw, courtesy of rain. Meanwhile, Pant has contributed with the gloves, but also dropped some chances. On Day 1 of the second Test, he dropped Nathan McSweeney in what initially looked like an easy chance. In the three matches, he has registered 19 catches.

The fourth Test will take place in Melbourne, and is scheduled to begin on December 26.

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