Wish Pant was Australian, express Marsh and Head to evoke virtual response from batter

India are all set to take on Australia in a marquee Test series Down Under as part of the latest iteration of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, beginning November 22. The Baggy Greens had last held the trophy aloft in 2015, with the Men in Blue emerging triumphant in the four editions that have followed since, including two at home and two overseas. The upcoming tour would also mark the first time the two teams play a five-match series since 1991/92, thereby highlighting the growing importance of the all-conquering modern-day rivalry.

As part of promotions for the same, Star Sports asked Australian all-format regular and T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh which current Indian player is the most Aussie-like and the veteran all-rounder hesitated in taking Rishabh Pant's name. The former even went so far as to say he wished the wicket-keeper batter was Indian, while commending his incredible comeback from near fatal injuries.

“He's a ripping bloke. I wish he was Australian. He's obviously been through a lot over the last few years, and it's been a hell of a comeback. He's a positive guy, still really young, and he loves winning. He's highly competitive for someone who has the persona of being relaxed and always laughing and smiling. He's got that big smile,” Marsh told Star Sports.

Pant was involved in a tragic car crash in December 2022 that kept him out of competitive cricket for nearly a year and a half before finally making a come back at the IPL 2024. Since, the 26-year-old has gone on to lift the ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean as well as mark his return to the Test arena after 633 days with a glorious ton against Bangladesh in Chennai in the recent encounter.

Travis Head was equally forthcoming with his response, and expressed a desire to share a dressing room with the attacking batter. 

“The Indian cricketer I believe is most Australian would be Rishabh Pant. I think the way he goes about his aggressive nature and his work ethic would make him very enjoyable to play with,” he said.

Pant's antics lower down the order have in the past earned him comparisons with Adam Gilchrist, which the Australian legend has himself approved on several occassions. The last time Pant had toured the continent island, his unbeaten 89 in the fourth innings at Gabba had helped snap a 33-year unbeaten streak for the Aussies at the ground enroute to a historic series win for the Men in Blue. Pant is set to be a shoe-in for the wicket-keeper role in the Indian XI when the BGT rolls around in two months' time and it remains to be seen whether he can replicate his previous success with the bat.