Australia T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh wishes that India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was Australian. The statement comes in build up to upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar series which is set to kick off from November 22 in Australia.

India have not lost on the last two tours of Australia and Rishabh Pant played a hue role in that. This time too, he’s expected to play a big role if India were to win their third consecutive Test series Down Under. Pant recently scored a hundred on his Test comeback after nearly 18 months.

“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 said in a conversation with Star Sports.

Marsh’s teammate Travis Head also echoed the same views and said: “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.”

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has also said that ‘keeping Rishabh Pant quiet’ is going to be the priority in the upcoming series.

“He’s someone that has a big influence in a couple of series and we have got to try and keep him quiet,” said the Aussie skipper. 

Pant has played seven Tests in Australia, scoring 624 runs in 12 innings at an average of 62.40 and a highest of 159 not out. He has also scored two fifties and a hundred.

Pant was the star on India’s last tout of Australia where he scored 97 in Sydney to help India draw the Test before hitting 89 not out in last Test in Brisbane to help clinch India the Test and the series.