Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is under scrutiny ahead of the crucial five-Test series against England. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has publicly expressed his reservations about Pant's approach during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia, raising questions about the young vice-captain's adaptability and temperament.

Ganguly's primary concern stems from Pant's perceived recklessness at the crease during the Australian tour. He felt that Pant played "too many shots" and was "just swinging at every ball," a strategy Ganguly believes is ill-suited to conditions where the ball is moving around. Pant managed 255 runs in nine innings, averaging 28.33, a far cry from the match-winning performances he is known for. Ganguly wants Pant to show more "fight" and "grind down" the opposition, emphasizing the need to value his wicket and not "give it away." He has advised Pant to "be ugly" if the situation demands, prioritizing defensive resilience over flamboyant strokeplay.

Despite the criticism, Pant boasts a decent Test record in England, having scored 556 runs in 9 matches, including two centuries and two fifties. This suggests that he has the potential to succeed in English conditions, provided he makes the necessary adjustments to his game.

So, how can Rishabh Pant improve his game in England?

• Prioritize Defensive Technique: Several cricket experts have pointed out flaws in Pant's defensive technique, particularly against the moving ball. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has stated that Pant lacks the technique to succeed in English conditions and needs to develop more patience and work on his defensive game.
• Improve Shot Selection: A key area for improvement is shot selection. Pant has a tendency to take risks early in his innings, even when the team requires a more cautious approach. He needs to pick the right bowlers and moments to attack, focusing on building his innings and easing pressure.
• Enhance Situational Awareness: Pant must read match situations better and adjust his game accordingly. There are times to attack and times to anchor the innings. Developing better situational awareness will allow him to shift gears when necessary.
• Rotate Strike Effectively: Wasim Jaffer has noted Pant's difficulty in rotating the strike, particularly against spin. He needs to learn from Virat Kohli's ability to get off strike and avoid getting bogged down at the crease. Jaffer also pointed out Pant's tendency to target the leg side excessively, and advised him to work on hitting the ball straighter down the ground.
• Wicket-Keeping Skills: While Pant's batting often overshadows his wicket-keeping, it's an integral part of his role. Ian Healy, the former Australian wicket-keeping great, believes that Pant's wicket-keeping has improved incrementally but is still a "work in progress". Healy has advised Pant to be still behind the stumps or start the trigger movement early to ensure he can move in the right direction when the ball is released.

Pant's success in England will hinge on his ability to temper his natural aggression with a more measured approach. By improving his defensive technique, shot selection, and situational awareness, he can become a more consistent and reliable performer in Test cricket. Whether heeding Ganguly's advice to "be ugly" translates into a more mature and effective Rishabh Pant remains to be seen, but it's clear that adjustments are needed for him to thrive in the challenging English conditions.