With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy around the corner, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has made a bold statement, terming Rishabh Pant India's top red-ball batter after Virat Kohli. This praise is coming as Team India gets set to play the first Test at Perth's Optus Stadium.

While young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal has dazzled in Test cricket and skipper Rohit Sharma remains a seasoned campaigner, Ganguly feels Rishabh Pant is in a different league when it comes to red-ball cricket. But he still warned that Pant needs to sharpen his skills in the whites.

“His special ability... Look at the innings he has played in England, Australia, and South Africa, and you will know he is a generational talent in red-ball cricket. He is India’s next-best red-ball batter after Kohli and could have a huge impact in the series,” Ganguly said, underlining Pant's key role in the previous triumphs Down Under.

Pant played a very crucial innings for India's victory in the matches of Australia. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the season 2018-19, he was the second run-getter for India when his significant contribution touched 350 runs. In the series played in 2020-21, his vital contribution of 274 runs from five innings led to India's historic victory. This has been underlined by his super hits at Sydney and Gabba.

Ganguly also voiced confidence in Virat Kohli returning to form in the Australian series, despite a rough patch against New Zealand. Calling him a “champion batter,” Ganguly reminded fans of Kohli’s stellar performances in Australia, including four centuries in 2014 and another in 2018.

“He will want to make this series count, and he will also know this could be the last time he is touring Australia to play Tests. So, in every sense, this is a massive series for Kohli,” Ganguly stated, adding that Australian pitches would suit Kohli’s style better than the conditions in New Zealand.

All eyes will hopefully be on Pant and Kohli to produce match-winning performances as India prepares for the exciting second installment of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Ganguly's faith behind them, the fans would surely wait with bated breath to see whether India can continue its string of dominance on Australian soil.