Rishabh Pant Was Brilliant With His Wicketkeeping; He Was Better Than Jos Buttler - Saba Karim

Rishabh Pant impressed former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim with his wicketkeeping in the first recently-concluded Test against England at Trent Bridge. The 53-year-old observed that Pant was even better than Jos Buttler behind the sticks.

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 Pant managed to make no notable mistake. He took 7 catches in the match giving brilliant support to the pacers.

After Pant had made his place fixed in India’s eleven with his heroics in Australia, there remained doubts over his keeping. But, those were quashed to an extent during the home series against England where he was terrific with the gloves on turning tracks in Chennai and Ahmedabad. Now he is rubbing his good batting form into his keeping as well.

“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,” Saba Karim said in his YouTube video.

It’s a privilege to see James Anderson playing at this stage of his career: Saba Karim

Saba Karim, who featured in 1 Test and 34 ODIs for India, hailed James Anderson for his iconic career. During the first Test, the seamer went past Anil Kumble’s tally of 619 Test scalps; he follows only two players, Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) – both spinners.

With a wicket of India captain Virat Kohli on the first ball, Anderson has now gained a mental edge in their rivalry.

“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.

The teams travel from Nottingham to London for the second Test at Lord’s which kicks off on Thursday (August 12).

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