Rishabh Pant is a 100-Test cricketer: More

NEW DELHI: On September 21, 2014, when a 17-year-old opening batsman Rishabh Pant, representing a Delhi colts team in the under-19 JY Lele All India One-day Invitation Tournament in Baroda, carted eight sixes and 22 boundaries in his 133-ball 186 against a Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) XI, former India wicketkeeper Kiran More immediately noted down his name in his mobile phone.

"Whenever I see a talented boy, I have a habit of noting down his name in my mobile. I said [to myself] 'he's a long race horse'. Now, I say he is a 100-Test player, and not just because on Tuesday he was brilliant behind the wickets against England in the second Test," More, who was chairman of the national selection committee between 2004 and 2006, told IANS.

As if you reassure More, Pant didn't stop at helping Delhi win that game by 130 runs at the MotiBagh Stadium. The next day, again playing as an opener, he slammed a 67-ball 120, containing seven sixes and 15 boundaries against a BCA Invitation XI to guide Delhi to a 125-run win.

On Tuesday, Pant effected two jaw dropping stumpings -- of Dan Lawrence and Moeen Ali -- to help India wrap up the second Test against England on the fourth day. This was in addition to his brilliant, one-handed catches to his left to dismiss Ollie Pope and Jack Leach in the first innings. In addition, he scored a crucial 58 not out in the first innings. This performance showed how much he has improved in the recent past.

"Rishabh Pant has really worked hard in Australia, when he moves with the gloves you can see the difference in his reactions. He has shed a lot of weight and has worked hard on himself. It is showing, the way he kept with so much turn and bounce [on Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch], credit to him. We want him to keep improving as a wicketkeeper because we know the value he brings to the team," said captain Virat Kohli after India's 317-run win on Tuesday.

While some experts questioned Pant's ability as a wicketkeeper and his weight, More says he never had any doubt about his talent and capability. IANS

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