Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has given a big statement, calling Rishabh Pant the best wicketkeeper-batsman in Test cricket so far. He even kept Pant above Mahendra Singh Dhoni. This statement came after Pant scored a century in the Leeds Test against England.
Manjrekar said, ‘I always see where centuries have been scored. Pant has scored centuries in England, South Africa and Australia. These are difficult situations. While Dhoni has scored 2496 runs in 48 Tests on foreign soil, with an average of 32.84 and is only 1 century (in Pakistan), Pant has scored 1976 runs in 30 Tests so far, average 39.52, including 5 centuries and 6 half -centuries.
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Manjrekar also said that Dhoni’s centuries have come on relatively easy pitches. He said that Dhoni’s century, with full respect, have come more on easy pitches like India. Pant is far ahead of Dhoni in Test cricket. He also reminded that Pant has been out on a score of 90 several times- 7 times in the Test, and in Leeds, he also appeared in the danger of nervous nice.
Sanjay said that I was a little nervous when Pant reached beyond 90, I felt that the 8th time should not be out in 90. But they are like a fresh wind. Manjrekar also praised the English audience, who appreciates good cricket. Rishabh Pant’s innings of 134 runs brought India to a strong first innings score of 471 runs. Now as vice-captain, his role will be important in covering England soon.
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England’s playing XI: Jack Craulie, Ben Docket, Oli Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Bridan Cars, Josh Tung, Shoaib Bashir.
Indian team playing 11: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Qetan/Wicketkeeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, Jaspreet Bumrah, famous Krishna.
Indian Squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Qetan/Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rabindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurlel (wicketkeeper), Abhimanyu Ishwar, Shardul Thakur, Jaspreet Bumrah, famous Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Karun Sundar, Karun, Karun Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana.
England-India Test series schedule
First Test: 20-24 June, Headingley (Leeds)
Second Test: 2-6 July, Edgbaston (Birmingham)
Third Test: 10-14 July, Lords (London)
Fourth Test: 23-27 July, Old Trafford (Manchester)
Fifth Test: 31 July-4 August, The Oval (London)