After Rishabh Pant’s dazzling twin centuries at Headingley, the England camp is now focused on crafting a plan to neutralize India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the second Test in Birmingham. Pant’s 118 in the second innings, following a century in the first, stood out as one of the few bright spots for India in their five-wicket loss to England.
England fast bowler Chris Woakes admitted that Pant poses a unique challenge, thanks to his unpredictability and ability to dominate bowlers.
“Rishabh’s a player who you don’t really know what’s coming next,” Woakes said at a press conference ahead of the Edgbaston Test. “He keeps you on your toes, and sometimes he puts you on the back foot.”
Woakes also praised Pant for making Test cricket exciting with his aggressive shot-making and fearless intent, even when under pressure.
England yet to finalize bowling plans
Despite Pant’s form, Woakes revealed that England’s bowling unit had not yet met to finalize plans for countering him, but discussions were expected soon.
“He scored two hundreds at Headingley, played really well, chanced his arm a few times and it came off. Hopefully this week, we can get him earlier,” said Woakes. “We’ll definitely talk about where we can bowl better to him.”
The Edgbaston Test, starting July 2, gives England a chance to extend their 1-0 lead in the five-match series, while India will be banking on Pant’s form to bounce back.
With Pant proving to be a thorn in the hosts’ side, England will need a well-thought-out plan to avoid letting the left-hander take the game away — something he’s done more than once in his young Test career.
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