Matthew Hayden Backs Rishabh Pant for Australia Series

Matthew Hayden has identified Rishabh Pant as a crucial player for India in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia starting November 22 in Perth, citing his 'muscle memory and thirst for victory' from the previous tour. Pant's aggressive batting style and resilience were instrumental in India's historic success during the 2020-21 series, where he played pivotal innings despite team challenges. Hayden expressed excitement about India's strategy against Australian conditions and noted the potential for a mix of experienced and young talent in the squad. The former cricketer emphasized how the team's previous dramatic comeback, winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite missing key players like Virat Kohli, adds to their confidence. Additionally, Hayden mentioned that the introduction of day-night Tests may level the playing field, reducing Australia's traditional home advantage. Overall, Pant's return to form after a life-threatening accident is seen as a significant boost for the Indian team as they prepare for this high-stakes series.