"He doesn't see the game like Steve Smith" - Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that Rishabh Pant shouldn't change his batting mindset in the upcoming Test series against England. He pointed out that the wicketkeeper-batter sees the game differently from players like Steve Smith, who scored 66 runs in Australia's first innings in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final.

India will face England in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Leeds on June 20. While Shubman Gill will captain the visitors, Pant will be his deputy.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Chopra was asked about Pant practicing his big shots in the nets ahead of the England series, which suggests that there is no change in his mindset.

"There shouldn't be a change as well. How will you succeed if you leave the thing that got you success? His playing style has always been unorthodox. Everyone sees the game differently. When Rishabh sees the game differently, he reacts like that," the cricketer-turned-commentator responded.

"He doesn't see the game like Steve Smith. He sees how he can upset the bowler, and that he can control the game very well if he hits a six. He starts like that too. Of course, if balls like these (snorters) are bowled, he will be more careful. You can respect the short balls a little," he added.

Rishabh Pant has amassed 2948 runs at an average of 42.11 in 43 Tests. He has scored 556 runs at an average of 32.70 in nine Tests on English soil.

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"Rishabh Pant will get out while playing shots only" - Aakash Chopra

Rishabh Pant was criticized for his mode of dismissal during BGT 2024-25. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra noted that Rishabh Pant should be criticized for his lack of runs and not for his mode of dismissals.

"Rishabh Pant will get out while playing shots only. You will rarely see him getting out while defending. You cannot question his execution as well. Criticism should be based on whether he scores runs or not. You have the right to criticize him if he doesn't score runs," he said.

The former India opener pointed out that Pant used to be praised when he scored runs with the same unconventional shots he has fallen prey to lately.

"However, he will get out like this only. So don't get confused that he is playing wrong, and that is why he is getting out. We used to clap when he used to score runs like this. We cannot be result-oriented. His playing style is like this only, and he doesn't like to change it, which is actually okay," Chopra observed.

Former India seamer Varun Aaron concurred with Aakash Chopra, highlighting that Rishabh Pant is an instinctive player. He pointed out that the result was seen when the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper scored a century while playing on his instincts in his last innings in IPL 2025.