James Anderson, England pacer once again showed that age is just a number as he dismantled the Indian middle-order in a stellar second session on Day Two of the first Test between India and England.
The veteran fast bowler turned the game on its head as he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in back-to-back deliveries, allowing England to crawl back into this Test match. The play was called off on a rain-marred day at the TrentBridge, with India in a spot of bother at 125-4.
James Anderson: England Got A Taste Of Rishabh Pant’s Plans On Day 2 Itself As He Used His Feet On The 3rd Ball He Faced
Opener KL Rahul marked his return to the side with a classy half-century and will want to convert this knock into a big one. He will be joined at the crease by overnight keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who has already given some nightmares to James Anderson in the past.
The fascinating battle between the youthful exuberance of Rishabh Pant against the experience of James Anderson will certainly be one to keep an eye on. There’s a buzz about this match-up and it could be a pivotal one in deciding the outcome of the match.
James Anderson commented about Rishabh Pant’s aggressive intent at the end of Day Two that he will think outside the box and might play the odd shot.
“We’ve got a taste of what he was planning to do. He used his feet on the third ball he faced today. We know the way he’s going to play. He’s aggressive, he’ll think outside the box. He might play the odd shot that’s out of the ordinary and we just have to accept that he’s a fantastic player, fantastic talent.”
There’s always a buzz and a sense of excitement when Rishabh Pant is at the crease. That anticipation only grows ten-fold when he’s facing a living legend in James Anderson.
James Anderson: England Bowlers Hope Rishabh Pant Nicks One
A lot will be hinging on Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul on Friday as the duo will try to wipe out England’s lead and ensure India takes a significant lead in the test. On being asked about plans for someone like Rishabh Pant, James Anderson said England bowlers will hope he nicks one ball and there is no specific planning to dismiss him.
“So, all we have got to do is concentrate on our areas as much as we can, keep bowling our best ball even when he’s doing different things to try and put us off. We’ve just got to hope he nicks one and that’s all we can do because, as I said, he’s a great player. We have nothing specific planned for him. If he keeps charging me then I’ll bowl my best ball, that’s all we can do.”
A cracking first session of play is on the cards for Day Three as long as the rain stays away.
Rishabh Pant continued his love affair with Australia on India’s last tour in 2020-21. With the team battling multiple adversities and injuries, he scored 97 runs off 118 balls in the third Test and an unbeaten 89 in the fourth Test in Brisbane and was adjudged Man of the match, as India won the match and series.
Rishabh Pant was picked in the playing XI again ahead of Wriddhiman Saha for the home Test series against England. In the four Tests, he scored 270 runs at an average of 54.00, including one century and two fifties. He batted at a strike rate of 84.11 in the four-match series, which India won comprehensively 3-1.