Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy has shared his views on India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, calling him a “work in progress”. Pant, who made his much-anticipated Test comeback earlier this year after recovering from a near-fatal car crash in December 2022, has faced criticism for his wicketkeeping performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Despite the challenges behind the stumps, where Pant has dropped a few catches and appeared slightly off form, he still has managed 19 dismissals. However, Healy, widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers of all time, believes Pant can improve further with time and effort.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Healy highlighted that while modern wicketkeepers often struggle due to their dual roles as batters and keepers, Pant shows promising signs in his training sessions.

"Rishabh Pant is a work in progress, but I saw him in the mornings and like the drills he is doing; he is bound to improve more. At times, as he did when he dropped a catch in this series earlier, he can make an initial wrong movement" he added.

"Some keepers like to move a touch to their left first and then press from there. It’s better to be still and if you can’t, then you start that trigger movement a touch early so that by the time the ball is out there, you can still press to the right side. One of those two decisions have to be made,” Healy explained.

Healy's remarks come at a crucial time, as India prepares to face Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the fourth Test of the series, which is tied at 1-1. Along with his wicketkeeping, India will be counting on Pant to deliver with the bat as they aim to take the lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.