Ravi Shastri Praises Rishabh Pant's Exceptional Performance in Leeds Test

Rishabh Pant's Remarkable Innings

Rishabh Pant's outstanding performance against England on Day 4 of the first Test has drawn significant attention, with Ravi Shastri highlighting the logical brilliance behind his batting. Despite a rocky start, Pant managed to find his rhythm and aggressively targeted the England bowlers. In an interview with Sky Sports, Shastri noted that Pant possesses a keen understanding of when to launch a counterattack. He acknowledged that while Pant's batting technique can sometimes be erratic, he could have achieved even more centuries in Test cricket had he converted some of his near-century scores.

Insights from Ravi Shastri

Shastri remarked, "Many believe Pant's batting is illogical, yet there is a sharp cricketing mind at work. He knows precisely when to strike back." He further added, "While he has succeeded at times, there have been instances where he could have turned those seven dismissals in the 90s into Test hundreds."

He also mentioned, "Pant has advanced the game significantly, creating dilemmas for India regarding declarations and target runs." Shastri expressed satisfaction with the technical prowess displayed by Rahul and the vibrant energy Pant brings to the field.

Day 4 Highlights: England vs India 1st Test

At the end of Day 4, England stood at 21/0, chasing a target of 371 runs set by India in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were not out at 12 and 9 runs, respectively. Earlier, India faced a dramatic collapse in their second innings, being bowled out for 364 after a solid position of 333/4. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul had previously formed a formidable partnership, scoring centuries and contributing to a 195-run stand. Pant's 134 runs in the first innings made him the first Asian wicket-keeper to score two centuries in a single Test match.