"Comebacks are always more difficult than debuts" - Aakash Chopra lauds Rishabh Pant's century in IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test

Aakash Chopra has lauded Rishabh Pant for his brilliant comeback in the longest format in the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was away from the action for more than a year due to a horrific car accident, last played a Test in December 2022.

Pant smashed 109 runs off 128 deliveries in India's second-innings total of 287 for four declared on Saturday, September 21. The Bangla Tigers, who were set a 515-run target, ended the third day at 158 for four.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Chopra was asked why Pant's knock would be considered special.

"Comebacks are always more difficult than debuts because you have already seen a lot, in and out, ups and downs, everything has happened with you. People also judge you a little quickly when you are making a comeback. Here the comeback was also due to some other reason," he responded.

While acknowledging that Pant had made a successful comeback in white-ball cricket earlier, the former India opener pointed out that Tests were the swashbuckling batter's strongest format before his accident.

"This was a slight culmination. There was never a doubt about it because white and red-ball cricket is the same. He has just come after becoming the world champion. So it's not that he was lacking confidence or wasn't able to bat but, for some strange reason, Test cricket has been his strongest suit. He has shone the most in that," Chopra observed.

Chopra noted that Pant, much like Virender Sehwag, has been most at home in red-ball cricket although their playing styles would suggest otherwise.

"He reminds you of Virender Sehwag. When you watched him play, you felt he would be the T20 king but he shone the most in Tests. Rishabh Pant's story is also similar thus far. It seems with the way he plays, he would be destroying the most in T20s, but he doesn't allow you to bowl here (in Tests)," he stated.

Pant has amassed 2419 runs at an average of 44.79 in 34 Tests. He hasn't been as successful in ODIs and T20Is, averaging 33.50 and 23.25, respectively, in the two limited-over formats.

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"If a player does something away from his character, it means his confidence is at its peak" - Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant's circumspect start to his innings

In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra opined that Rishabh Pant's circumspect start to his innings reflected his confidence.

"If you try to define confidence, if a player does something away from his character, it means his confidence is at its peak because you can always run towards your character. So what he did at the start, continuously defending and leaving deliveries, that was brilliant," he said.

Pant consumed 88 deliveries to reach his half-century and needed only 36 more balls to reach his hundred. He added 167 runs for the fourth wicket with Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on a 176-ball 119.