{
  "id": 924569,
  "title": "Rishabh Pant can make Virender Sehwag-like impact: Angelo Mathews",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/rishabh-pant-can-make-virender-sehwag-like-impact-angelo-mathews",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T01:19:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka/rishabh-pant-can-make-virender-sehwag-like-impact-angelo-mathews/articleshow/133253745.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka's captain in their last Test victory over India in 2015, believes Rishabh Pant has the potential to disrupt Indian batting line-ups like Virender Sehwag did. Mathews, speaking to TOI, pointed out that playing on ranked turners can backfire, as India had experienced in their matches against New Zealand and South Africa. He urged the management to support Pant, as he could disrupt Indian batting as Sehwag once did. Mathews emphasized the importance of using feet and adapting to Sri Lanka's spin-heavy conditions, while also acknowledging the potential impact of fast bowlers like Asif Fernando and Vishwa Fernando. He criticized the lack of Test opportunities for Sri Lanka, attributing inconsistent performances to the limited number of Test matches played. Mathews called for more Test cricket to be played, suggesting a discussion between Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC, and other boards to accommodate more Test matches.",
  "summary": "Angelo Mathews has been a part of a Sri Lankan team which had heady battles with India, especially on their own turf. He believes a player like Rishabh Pant should be backed by the management as he too could have an impact like Virender Sehwag did in Sri Lanka.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rishabh Pant can disrupt Indian batting like Sehwag.",
    "Angelo Mathews believes Pant has potential to impact Test matches.",
    "Sri Lanka needs more Test opportunities for consistent performance."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Angelo Mathews' backing of Rishabh Pant signals a potential shift in India's batting dynamics, with Pant possibly emulating Virender Sehwag's game-changing influence on the team's batting line-up.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Rishabh Pant on brink of history, eyes record no Indian has achieved in Tests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/rishabh-pant-on-brink-of-history-eyes-record-no-indian-has-achieved",
        "published": "2026-08-15T02:58:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}