Rishabh Pant asked to play classic cricket by former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer before the crucial match. This advice comes at a perfect time when India really needs steady batting performances. Engineer wants Pant to save his fancy shots for IPL matches instead.
India is losing the series 2-1 right now and desperately needs to win in Manchester. Pant’s batting style often creates problems because he takes too many unnecessary risks. His finger injury makes things even more complicated for the team management.
Engineer thinks Pant should focus on building long innings rather than hitting big shots. Test cricket needs patience and careful shot selection, especially when the team is struggling. The IND vs ENG 4th Test will be a perfect chance for Pant to show his maturity.
What the Cricket Legend Actually Said
Farokh Engineer knows exactly what he’s talking about because he played wicketkeeper for India. He told reporters that Pant should keep his risky shots for T20 cricket only. Test matches require a completely different approach and mindset from young players.
“Absolutely. Save those (risky shots) for IPL. Test cricket demands discipline. From a number three or four, you expect them to play proper cricket, get big scores, and build innings. Rishabh has scored centuries in both innings of a Test, which is remarkable. So yes, he could play purely as a batsman, especially with England’s strong bowling lineup, now including Jofra Archer and Atkinson,” Engineer said.
Engineer believes Pant has the talent to score centuries in both innings sometimes. But he needs to learn when to attack and when to defend. The number three and four batting positions need players who can stay for long periods.
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Many cricket experts agree that Rishabh Pant asked to play classic cricket makes perfect sense. His natural attacking style works great in the IPL but causes problems in Test matches. Smart batsmen know how to change their game according to different formats.
Pant’s Performance in This Series So Far
Despite his wild shot selection, Pant has actually scored 425 runs in three matches. He got a fifty in the first innings of the last match at Lord’s. These numbers show he can perform well when he stays focused and disciplined.
The problem happens when Pant gets too excited and plays dangerous shots unnecessarily. His teammates watch him throw away his wicket after doing all the hard work. This frustrates fans who know he can bat much better than that.
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With his finger injury, Pant might only bat in the IND vs ENG 4th Test. This gives him a great opportunity to follow Engineer’s advice about playing safely. Rishabh Pant asked to play classic cricket could be the key to India’s comeback. The IND vs ENG 4th Test starts soon, and India needs every run possible.
