"We all know how destructive Rishabh Pant can be" - Gautam Gambhir heaps praise on returning keeper-batter ahead of IND vs BAN 1st Test

Team India coach Gautam Gambhir heaped praise on Rishabh Pant and his game-changing abilities ahead of the opening Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, September 19. The 42-year-old also explained what the explosive batter adds to the side.

The 26-year-old is in line to play his first Test since December 2022. Pant returned to the international arena during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June and had a fairly successful campaign.

During the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Gambhir said (via NDTV):

"Pant can open the game for us. As a keeper also, he has done phenomenally well. We all know how destructive Pant can be. It is good to have someone like him and he has done phenomenally with keeping. Batting overshadows keeping, he brings a lot of good things to the side."

The former opener also brushed aside concerns about their batters' ability to play spin, especially after the struggles in Sri Lanka. He said:

"Our batting unit has so much quality that it can take on any spin unit. There is a lot of difference between ODIs and Tests. It's all about the mindset and working and strengthening your defence and once you have it, then you play around it."

The Indian batters had a tough time against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series. The likes of Jeffery Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage spun a web around the visitors and helped their side register a 2-0 series win.

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"I congratulate them for what they did in Pakistan" - Gautam Gambhir on Bangladesh's victory

Gambhir admitted that India need to be wary of Bangladesh, given they have in-form players and are riding high on confidence. The Tigers recently whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in an away Test series.

"I congratulate them (Bangladesh) for what they did in Pakistan. But this is a new series, and they are a quality side. We want to play good cricket. Yes, they have experience in Shakib (Al Hasan), Mushfiqur (Rahim) and Mehidy (Miraz) but we want to be switched on from ball one," he said.

The ex-cricketer added:

"I have been big believer that we don’t fear anyone but we respect everyone. It is the same with Bangladesh. We don’t look at the opposition and we play the game we know."

The first Test of the India-Bangladesh series will be played in Chennai and starts on Thursday, September 19.