James Anderson Lauds Rishabh Pant's Fearless Batting Approach

James Anderson praised Rishabh Pant and his fearlessness, citing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as one of the main reasons for the rise of young batsmen. He also went on to state that every wicket in the Indian batting line-up is important as it is filled with match-winners.

Rishabh Pant had reverse-swept Anderson over the slip cordon earlier in the year just when the new ball had arrived. This is something that would never happen with the old generation, Anderson giving Sourav Ganguly’s playstyle as an example. Talking in a press conference ahead of England’s 5-match Test series against India, Anderson said:

“Use Rishabh Pant as an example, reverse sweeping me in the last tour of India with a new ball and you never see Sourav Ganguly do that. So, it is exciting to see, it is a different challenge as well for bowlers when you get this sort of style of player who is not afraid to go over the top in Test cricket or play extravagant shots. I think it is great for the viewer at home to watch.“

“It is something that I feel fortunate to have done and it has been a real experience, playing against different generations of batters. I think IPL generation of players, you can definitely see a difference and a more fearless approach, not scared of playing any shot in any format,” he continued.

“We have got to make a plan for everyone and every wicket is important – James Anderson

Anderson claimed that every Indian wicket is important considering the calibre and role of each batsman. Although India is coming into the first Test having lost a few players to injuries already, Anderson believes they are still very strong throughout the batting order.

“India has a very strong batting line up and as an opposition, you don’t want to single out players because they have quality batsmen right throughout. Kohli is obviously an important wicket since he is the captain and has a positive influence on the team.

“Pujara is someone who can stay at the crease for a long time and holds things together. But we can’t single one batsman out so we have got to make a plan for everyone and every wicket is important,” the 38-year-old concluded.

The first Test between England and India will start on August 4, Wednesday, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The caravan will then move to the home of cricket, the Lord’s.