The stirring comeback to cricket for Rishabh Pant has been enough for Mitchell Marsh to feel teary, terming the all-rounder as a "ripping bloke" whom he wished he had played for Australia.
Returning to international cricket earlier this year through white ball formats, Pant underlined his long-term readiness for red-ball cricket with a hundred against Bangladesh in the recent first Test at Chennai.
Talking about Pant's comeback from that horrific car accident in 2022, Marsh was all praise for the Indian wicket-keeper batter's positiveness, competitiveness, and hunger to win.
"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 said talking to Star Sports.
"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."
Pant is likely to feature in India's batting order when the two teams face off for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth from November 22.
He was great in the last two Test series against the Aussies, scoring 624 runs in 12 innings at an average of 62.40 with one century and two half-tons. His top score has been an unbeaten 159 against the team from Down Under.
The 26-year-old also hit an unconquered 89 in the second innings of the Brisbane Test in 2021, as Australia suffered its first Test loss at the venue in 32 years while the Indians sealed the series 2-1 and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian opening batsman Travis Head also had words of praise for Pant's skills.
The Indian cricketer I think most Australian is Rishabh Pant. I think the manner in which he approaches his aggression and his work ethic makes him a great joy to play with, reckoned Hazlewood.
**I find Rohit tough to bowl to: Hazlewood**
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It would be the first time that Rohit Sharma would be touring Australia as the Test captain, and he is also likely to carry a lot of responsibility with the bat.
The Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood said his batsman has rated him as a challenging bowler to put him over against Indian opener Rohit Sharma.
"I find him quite tough to bowl to. I think 'Gaza' has had some good success against him, particularly in Australia, so it might be a case of getting him on early as well," he stated.
Rohit has scored 408 runs in seven Tests at an average of 31.38 in Australia, and he is yet to hit a hundred there.
"I remember one time India came out, and he batted at five or six. Then, last time, he opened. He's always facing the new ball a lot, regardless of the format. I feel like he plays the quicks unbelievably well.
"Its bounce and movement don't seem to bother him; he plays it right under his eyes and has all the time in the world."
