Saba Karim, the former Indian wicketkeeper was impressed with Rishabh Pant’s wicketkeeping in the first Test against England. Keeping wickets in England is never easy as the ball moves a lot sometimes after it passes the pitch.
However, Rishabh Pant not only collected the ball well but also took some stunning catches. Saba Karim is of the opinion that Rishabh Pant was better with his glovework than England keeper Jos Buttler.
Saba Karim: Rishabh Pant’s Keeping Was Brilliant In The 1st Test
Speaking on the YouTube show ‘Khelneeti’, Saba Karim explained how Rishabh Pant’s improved wicketkeeping skills are a huge positive for India. Saba Karim asserted that the conditions were challenging for a wicketkeeper as in England the ball continues to moves even after passing the batsman with the late swing. Despite that Rishabh Pant managed to make no notable mistake. He took 7 catches in the match giving brilliant support to the pacers.
“Rishabh Pant was brilliant with his wicketkeeping. I noticed that the way the ball was wobbling after crossing the wicket, it wasn’t easy. But his keeping was better than that of Jos Buttler. Buttler has played so many times in his home conditions, but Rishabh Pant was brilliant behind the stumps by taking so many catches.”
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 scored 274 runs in 3 Tests in Australia averaging 68.5.
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.
Saba Karim: It’s A Privilege To See Veteran England Pacer James Anderson Bowling In The Twilight Of His Career
Saba Karim was also in awe of England’s legendary pacer James Anderson. The 39-year-old is approaching the twilight of his career but looked his threatening best in the first Test against India. He also crossed Anil Kumble’s tally of 619 Test wickets to become the third-highest wicket-taker of all time in Tests.
“It is a privilege for us to see James Anderson playing at this stage of his career. The way he works hard and prepares for every series, every batsman is tremendous. His mindset and the way he sets up batsmen is something to watch for all youngsters,” Saba Karim concluded.
Rishabh Pant’s favourite tour is obviously the Australian tour for he has amassed a staggering 624 runs in only 7 games averaging 62.4 with 1 hundred -his career-best of unbeaten 159 and 2 fifties which came in 2018-19. In the recent 2020-21 tour- he scored 97 which helped India draw the 3rd Sydney Test and then 89* which helped India to win the Brisbane Test and claim their second successive series win Down Under.
James Anderson’s four for 54 against India in the 1st innings took him third in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers with 621 scalps. After the first Test ended in a stalemate, the two teams will now go head to head in the second game at Lord’s from Thursday (August 12).