Rishabh Pant Can Take The Game Away - Nathan Hauritz Picks The 'Incredibly Important' Player In India-England Test Series

Not Virat Kohli, not Joe Root, for former Australia spinner Nathan Hauritz it is Rishabh Pant who is going to make a difference in the upcoming Test series between India and England.

The dynamic batsman has been in superb form since the Australia tour last year. He has made the wicket-keeper’s position his own in all three formats.

Nathan Hauritz hailed the left-hander’s “so dynamic and so aggressive” batting style which, he believes, can take the game away from the opposition in quick time, especially while batting with the tail.

“For India, Virat is incredibly important. For England, Joe Root is incredibly important. But I will pick Rishabh Pant. He is so dynamic and so aggressive. He holds that lower-order set up and he can take the game away from you. He’s going to keep developing as a young cricketer. He is maturing with age. Hope that he can keep learning from his mistakes,” Nathan Hauritz told Times Of India. 

I predict a drawn series: Nathan Hauritz

Nathan Hauritz, who picked over 100 wickets for Australia, predicted a draw in the 5-match series. He opined that while England are dominant at their home – they have lost just one home Test series in seven years – but their batting is fragile and the world-class Indian bowling attack can make them pay.

The hosts are coming off a series loss to New Zealand, while the visitors too lost to the Kiwis in the WTC final. The first Test is scheduled for August 4th at Trent Bridge.

“I think it will come down to the bowlers. Indian batting lineup has underperformed recently in the WTC final. But a lot of class is there. We can’t expect Virat not to perform for such a long period. I fully expect him to make some runs soon. England bowling attack of Anderson and Broad looked a bit tired in the last Test series against New Zealand. It will be Indian bowlers in the series against England.

“Hopefully, the weather doesn’t play a part. England are really tough to beat in their own backyard. But India are at their peak. Anything is possible. I predict a drawn series. England’s top order is really under pressure at the moment and India bowlers can definitely expose them,” the former Aussie off-spinner concluded.

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