Rishabh Pant vs Adam Gilchrist: Comparing Two Game-Changers of Different Eras after 38 Tests

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Rishabh Pant has established himself as one of the top wicket keeper-batters for Team India in recent years. Known for his fearless and attacking approach, the 27-year-old Roorkee-born has become a crucial component of India’s Test lineup.

He was recently seen in action during the three-match Test series against New Zealand. Notably, he finished the series as the leading run-getter with 261 runs in 3 games including three fifties.

Over the years, he has showcased his ability to score quickly and turn games in the team's favour. His style of play has drawn comparisons with the legendary Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist. Let’s explore how Pant stacks up against Gilchrist after 38 Tests.

1. Rishabh Pant leads the Tally in runs scored: Pant, who has shown a love for the red-ball format, scored 2,893 runs in his first 38 Tests. Meanwhile, Adam Gilchrist, by comparison, scored 2,445 runs at the same stage. Let's not forget that Pant’s contributions have often come under challenging circumstances, wherein he helped India in overseas conditions, including match-winning contributions in Australia.

2. Adam Gilchrist leads in batting average: Despite the fact that Pant has accumulated more runs than Gilchrist, the Australian holds the edge in terms of the batting average. Pant’s batting average stands at 44.14 after 38 Tests across 66 innings, whereas Gilchrist averaged a stunning 56.86 over 54 innings.

3. A Tie in Centuries and Fifties: For the record, both Pant and Gilchrist scored six centuries and 14 fifties in their first 38 Tests. The duo have converted starts into big scores and deliver in clutch moments for their respective teams.

Pant registered his highest score of 159 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On the other side of the coin, Gilchrist registered an impressive 204 against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, reaching the fastest double century in Test history at that time.

It is worth noting that Pant's aggressive batting has helped India pull off incredible wins, particularly in Australia, where he helped India script a heroic run-chase at the Gabba. Gilchrist, likewise, played a spectacular role in Australia’s dominance in the 2000s.

4. Gilchrist vs Pant in Wicketkeeping: As wicket keepers, both have been impactful behind the stumps in the first 38 games. Pant has taken 124 catches and made 15 stumpings in his first 38 Tests. Gilchrist, on the other hand, showcased his sharp reflexes by bagging 150 catches and 12 stumpings.