Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has described Rishabh Pant’s inability to replicate his Test dominance in the IPL as “very surprising”, arguing that the wicketkeeper-batter’s T20 output does not match the level of talent he has consistently shown in red-ball cricket. While Pujara believes Pant remains among India’s most accomplished batters across formats, he suggested that the key issue in T20s could be mental clarity and approach rather than technique.
Pujara’s view on Pant’s IPL vs Test form
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pujara said he expects a player of Pant’s attacking capability—someone who can take on bowlers in Tests and in the IPL as well—to deliver more consistently based on impact and opportunity. He pointed out that when Pant’s IPL numbers are compared with his reputation, the returns appear less impressive than his Test record.
“I am also very surprised because someone like Rishabh Pant who can attack any bowler in Test cricket and his IPL, when we just look at the stats, it is not as good as in Test cricket,” Pujara said. He added that Pant continues to be viewed as a top all-format batter in the country, but feels his mindset may be affecting how he translates that skillset into T20 innings.
Pujara also noted that Pant’s contrasting performances across formats have become a talking point. In Tests, Pant remains India’s preferred wicketkeeper, but he is no longer part of the T20I setup and is currently behind KL Rahul in the ODI selection pecking order.
Numbers behind the comparison
Pujara highlighted the stark statistical difference between Pant’s endurance in Tests and his shorter-format returns. In 49 Test matches, Pant has amassed 3,476 runs, including eight centuries and 18 fifties, with notable hundreds in England, Australia and South Africa.
By comparison, his IPL record stands at 3,757 runs in 134 matches, with a strike rate of 146 and two centuries—figures that Pujara and many observers consider modest given his reputation as a high-impact batter.
“Mindset more than technique”
Pujara stressed that Pant may not need major technical alterations for T20 cricket. Instead, he believes the batter’s success depends on clearer decision-making and a more defined plan when he comes out to bat.
“I think it is the mindset thing also. There has to be some more clarity in the way Rishabh plays,” Pujara explained.
He added that, from a technical perspective, he does not see a pressing need for extensive changes. “Technically, I don't see a lot of changes which is needed in Rishabh's batting. It's just the mindset,” he said.
Clarity in scoring areas
According to Pujara, Pant looks far more assured about where to score in Test matches than in T20s. He suggested that in the longer format, Pant knows his key areas well enough to pick the right gaps even when the field is set deep.
“It's also clarity of thoughts, clarity in what he needs to do when he walks in to bat and the kind of shots he should play because in Test cricket, he knows that these are his areas and even if the field is kept on the fence, he still picks the right pockets to hit the shots,” Pujara said.
Working more on the off side
The veteran batter also pointed to a potential limitation in Pant’s white-ball game. Pujara believes Pant has more dominance on the leg side in T20s, and feels he would become even more effective if he developed his game on the off side as well.
“In T20 format, he is a little more dominant on the leg side where he will have to work on his game on the off side which will allow him to be even more successful,” Pujara added.
Could captaincy pressure be a factor?
Pujara also questioned whether captaincy pressure could be influencing Pant’s IPL performances. He suggested that leadership responsibilities have not been helping him to the extent expected, and that focusing purely on batting could improve his output.
“We have seen that captainship hasn't been helping him a lot,” Pujara said. “Especially in the case of Rishabh Pant, if he is focusing more on his game, that will definitely help him.”
However, Pujara made it clear that the final call rests with Pant and the franchise management.
“If Rishabh Pant plays as a player will his performance get better? If it does, then I'm sure he should do that, but it is always a personal call,” he added.
On T20 consistency and Suryakumar Yadav
Pujara also defended Suryakumar Yadav amid criticism about inconsistency in T20 cricket, saying the impact of innings matters more than maintaining constant statistical output in the format.
“Consistency is overrated in a T20 format,” Pujara said.
