“He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this” – Sourav Ganguly on Rishabh Pant

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly feels Rishabh Pant will be an all-time great in Test if he keeps performing like this in the upcoming matches. Pant has made a return for the first Test against Bangladesh after spending more than a year on the sidelines due to multiple injuries, which he suffered in a horrific car accident.

The left-hander scored a quickfire knock of 61 runs off just 47 balls in the second innings of the Duleep trophy clash while playing for India B against India A.

Pant has produced incredible numbers in the red-ball format, scoring 2271 runs in 33 Test matches at an impressive average of 43.67. The left-hander has already played some unbelievable match-winning knocks for India while playing overseas, including an unbeaten 89 in the historic Gabba Test against Australia.

Ganguly said at an event in Kolkata as quoted by PTI, “He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this. For me, he needs to get better in the shorter formats. With the talent he has, I’m sure with time, he will become one of the best.

“I consider Rishabh Pant one of India’s best Test batsmen. I’m not surprised that he’s back in the side, and he will continue to play for India in Tests,” the former India captain added.

Ganguly added he is looking forward to the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. India has won the last two Test series while playing Downunder.

“I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.