Ben Stokes, captain of England, has spoken highly of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, referring to him as one of the most formidable players in world cricket and a personal favourite to watch. Ahead of the second Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, set to begin on July 2 in Birmingham, Stokes acknowledged Pant’s ability to turn games around and his bold, fearless batting style.
“Although he’s on the opposing side, I really enjoy watching Rishabh play cricket. I admire how he approaches the game across all formats. He’s had his tough moments, but when you allow that kind of talent to express itself freely, this is the result we can see, especially in the past week,” said Stokes.
Pant’s remarkable performance in the first Test at Headingley, where he achieved centuries in both innings, has reignited discussions about his crucial role in the Indian team, especially in challenging overseas conditions.
His aggressive approach and knack for counter-attacking under pressure have disrupted bowling strategies across all formats. With England depending on their pace attack, Pant’s performance could prove pivotal, as the pitch is expected to become more conducive to batting as the match unfolds.
“Credit to him for scoring two centuries in the game. We know we’ll get our opportunities because of the way Rishabh plays. On another day, things might have turned out differently. But he’s definitely a very dangerous player,” he added.
By scoring two centuries in the Headingley Test, Pant eclipsed MS Dhoni to become the Indian wicketkeeper-batter with the highest number of centuries in Test cricket. This notable achievement further highlights his growing influence in the format.