India vs England 2021: Rishabh Pant's Reverse-Sweep Over The Slips Was Outrageous - David Lloyd

Former England batsman, David Lloyd was amazed by Rishabh Pant’s sheer audacity and the skill to reverse sweep pacer James Anderson, bowling with the new ball, over the slip fielders on Friday in Ahmedabad.

Pant continuing his rich vein of form with the bat brought up his third Test century – his first in India – when he smashed 101 runs off 118 balls with the help of 13 fours and 2 sixes at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

David Lloyd opines that the left-hander’s knock put the game firmly in India’s hands, while once it seemed to be titled slightly in England’s favour. Pant came into bat at 80/4, and then the total slipped to 146/6 in reply to England’s 205. But Pant, along with Washington Sundar staged a partnership of 113 runs, en route the 23-year-old notched up his ton, after two years.

The highlight of his innings was how he eschewed his attacking instincts in the first half of his innings when the team was in a precarious position, and then attacked the bowlers; including charging down to Anderson before a ridiculously good reverse shot over the slips.

“The excellence of Jimmy Anderson and Ben Stokes kept England in this game for the first two sessions, but, boy, do they need support. That innings from Rishabh Pant turned the match on its head. It was exhilarating. He bided his time, then went after Anderson. That reverse-sweep over the slips was outrageous,” David Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

Jos Buttler can produce that kind of innings for England: David Lloyd

The 73-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator David Lloyd feels that Jos Buttler can play such kinds of innings for the Three Lions – but he is back at home. Buttler was rested after the first Test match in accordance with ECB’s rest and rotate player policy in view of the busy schedule this year.

Buttler played two Tests in Sri Lanka and the opening Test in India before being rested for the remaining 3 matches; he will return back to India for the T20I series before participating in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.

“Have England got a player who can produce that kind of innings? I think they have: Jos Buttler. But he’s at home. When he comes back, I just hope they take the shackles off him. Having a hitter in your side can win you Tests,” David Lloyd added.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant Treated James Anderson As If He Was A Spinner, Says Sunil Gavaskar