IND vs ENG 2022 | Rishabh Pant is the Brian Lara of wicketkeepers, opines Rashid Latif

India are in a strong position in the one-off Test against England courtesy of brilliant batting performance from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. After being invited to bat first, India posted a total of 416 and have reduced the opposition to 84/5. Rishabh Pant played a crucial role for the Indian team as he played a knock of 146 runs from 111 balls. India were on 98/5 at one stage but Pant and Ravindra Jadeja forged a 222-run stand for the sixth wicket. Jadeja also scored a century with his knock of 104 runs. 

“He's the Brian Lara of wicketkeepers. This match is taking place in Birmingham, the same place where Brian Lara scored 501 for Warwickshire. Pant has shown glimpses of that today. Pant has limited feet movement, but he can pick the ball really well,” Latif said on his official YouTube channel.

Pant backed his natural game and attacked the bowlers from the start. In his innings, he also played a reverse scoop to James Anderson. Also, he was stepping down the track to take on pacers and it worked for him. Latif praised the left-hander for taking his chances even when Ben Stokes tried to put pressure on him with close-in fielders. 

“He let the ball come to him. 2-3 shots that he played towards midwicket against fast bowlers were outstanding. He played calculative cricket. England tried to put pressure with four slips and a gully, which meant there weren't enough fielders outside. So he took his chances,” said Latif.

“I would also credit Jadeja there. Normally, in such times, you can lose your partner at the other end. But he complimented him brilliantly.”

India are leading the Test series by 2-1 and if they win this rescheduled fifth Test or even draw it, the team will register a historic Test series victory in England.