Ben Stokes considers Rishabh Pant a very dangerous player. The England captain praised Pant ahead of the second test in the five-match series. England and India will face off in the second test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting on July 2.
India’s vice-captain Pant displayed outstanding batting in the first test at Headingley, Leeds. The left-handed batsman scored centuries in both innings—134 runs in the first and 118 runs in the second. Despite his remarkable performance, India lost the match by five wickets.
Pant gained significant attention for his record-breaking batting. With his eighth test century in that match, he surpassed MS Dhoni’s record to become the Indian wicket-keeper with the most centuries in Tests. The 27-year-old also became the first Indian batsman to score twin centuries in a Test match in England.
Ben Stokes: I Really Enjoy Watching Rishabh Pant Play
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the Edgbaston Test, England captain Ben Stokes showered praise on Rishabh Pant, expressing his admiration for the Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s fearless approach.
“I absolutely love watching Rishabh Pant play cricket. I admire the way he takes on the game in every format. He’s faced some criticism in the past, but when you allow that kind of talent to express itself freely, you get to witness what we saw last week,” Stokes said, as quoted by ANI.
Reflecting on Rishabh Pant recent performances, Stokes acknowledged the impact Rishabh Pant had on the previous match. “Two centuries in one game — credit to him. With the way Rishabh plays, we know chances will come our way. But it’s one of those things where, on a different day, the outcome could have changed if just one of those shots went straight to a fielder.”
Stokes also emphasized how dangerous Rishabh Pant can be and how crucial he is for Team India.
“He’s a very dangerous player. We’re well aware of what he brings to the Indian team. But above all, I really enjoy watching Rishabh play cricket,” Stokes concluded.
Meanwhile, England have decided to stick with the same playing XI for the second Test. They currently lead the five-match series 1-0 after clinching a five-wicket win in the opening game. India, on the other hand, are expected to make a few changes — with reports suggesting that the bowling unit could be reshuffled, and Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the upcoming match.
