In the ongoing India vs Australia 1st Test, when every Indian batter was heading back to the pavilion in the Perth Test match, it was Rishabh Pant who stood tall, taking charge of India’s batting. Out of the 150 runs India managed, his precious 37 runs stood as the second-highest on the scoreboard. What impressed many once again was his fearless approach.
It now feels like Rishabh Pant is stepping into the role Virat Kohli once held as the backbone of Indian batting. While it’s still early days for Pant in Australia, the southpaw has already built an impressive record in a short span. His reliability and bold performances suggest he could be India’s next dependable star in challenging conditions. But the question is, looking at the recent performances of Pant, can we say Rishabh Pant is a better batter in Australian conditions than Virat Kohli?
Rishabh Pant stats in Australia
Not for the first time, Rishabh Pant has carried the Indian team on his shoulders. Going back to the 2021 Brisbane Test, his crucial 89-run innings played a pivotal role in India’s historic 2-1 series victory. In the same series, Pant’s massive 97 off 118 balls at the SCG was regarded as one of the finest inning . before that in 2018-19, he scored a memorable 159 at the SCG. When we look at Pant’s average in Australia from 2018 to 2024,stands at an impressive 63.40, solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliable batters in challenging Australian conditions. As mentioned, it is still early to compare both, but this star wicketkeeper-batter is already on his way to surpassing India’s great.
| Stat | Value |
| Matches | 7 |
| Runs | 624 |
| Average | 62.4 |
| Strike Rate | 72.74 |
| Centuries | 1 |
| Fifties | 3 |
Virat Kohli stats in Australia
| tat | Value |
| Matches | 13 |
| Runs | 1,352 |
| Average | 54.08 |
| Centuries | 6 |
| Fifties | 4 |
Having played 13 matches and scored 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four fifties, Virat Kohli’s performances in Australia are often described as a match made in heaven. His 692 runs during the 2014-15 series, featuring four centuries, remain one of the most iconic performances by an Indian batter on Australian soil. Kohli’s ability to lead from the front and dominate Australia’s top bowlers has frequently been a decisive factor for India.
Not to forget, his captaincy got the perfect stamp during the 2018-19 series, where he led from the front to help India capture a historic Test series victory in Australia for the first time. However, fast forward to the present, Kohli’s aggression and consistency, which once defined his batting, appear to have diminished. His form in Tests has seen a massive decline, with his average dropping from 64.60 in 2019 to 36.60 in 2020, and now, in 2024, it has drastically reduced to 19.33. While Kohli showed signs of redemption in ODIs, his struggles in the Test format persist.
As India gears up for another tour of Australia, assumptions about who will shine are premature. Rishabh Pant has certainly cemented his place in the team, and with his age on his side, he has the potential to surpass Kohli’s stats in Australia over time. However, many games still lie ahead in his career, leaving room for exciting possibilities.
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