Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has lavished praise on Rishabh Pant for his fine knock during the first innings of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Colombo on Monday. Pant scored a crucial knock of 63 runs off 89 balls and added a crucial alliance of 112 runs with Dhruv Jurel.

Pant was hit on his wrist on the opening day of the Test match by Lahiru Kumara and was forced to retire hurt after scoring only three runs. 

On the second day, Pant smashed Kumara for a 95-meter six over deep fine leg, which went out of the ground.

“He got hit by a similar ball yesterday. So he was absolutely ready now. The ball he missed yesterday, he sent it outside the stadium. The ball hit the solar panel first. He has left his mark on the stadium. Only Rishabh Pant could have hit such a big six against the new ball there. Not only that six, but the way he batted, it was an extremely sensible knock,” Cheteshwar Pujara said on Sony Sports.

Pujara praised Pant for his impressive shot-making against Sri Lanka spinners – Keshara Nuwantha and Prabath Jayasuriya.

“He showed how an aggressive player can bat in a Test match. He didn’t play straight shots against the spinner. He used the sweep and the reverse sweep. The shots he hit straight were with the spin. He didn’t step out against Keshara and hit a six over mid-on. When Jayasuriya came to bowl, he hit shots straight and over midwicket. His game plan looked right today,” he observed.

The former Indian number three added that Pant is learning himself and he has certainly improved his game.

“He is learning himself. His form is looking good now, but why did he go through slightly bad form for a little while? It was because he was becoming predictable. There is a lot of video analysis in today’s era. The opposition team sees where Rishabh Pant’s strength is, where he plays more shots, and where the fielders can be placed against him,” he said.

India posted 503-9 in the first innings, whereas Sri Lanka are currently 121-3.