Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh. Image-Twitter.

India’s keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been in nothing short of an unbelievable form in Test cricket in recent months. On Friday, he reiterated his importance to the Test team as he smashed a century in the fourth Test against England in Ahmedabad to put India in the driver’s seat. Amid his innings, the left-hander also played an audacious shot against James Anderson that left the fans in awe. Harbhajan Singh believes Anderson will remember the same for a long time.

The shot transpired in the 83rd over of India’s innings when Rishabh Pant managed a reverse lap shot that flew over England’s slip cordon for a four, leaving James Anderson flummoxed. The southpaw rescued India from a perilous position by adding a century stand with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket. Pant also got to three figures for the first time in Tests in India with a six and fell to Anderson soon after.

RIshabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. (Photo: BCCI)

Harbhajan Singh underlined that batsmen need guts to play a shot like Rishabh Pant did and that it will stay in James Anderson’s mind for long. The 103-Test veteran claimed to the extent that when Anderson hangs up his boots, the shot will cause him pain since it’s a question of ego that a young batsman has pulled off a reverse sweep against a quality bowler.

“Credit to him. You need guts to play a shot like that. This shot will remain in Jimmy Anderson’s mind for a long time. When he retires and thinks about the best shots that have been played against him, this shot will cause him pain because it is a question of ego that a small kid played a reverse sweep against such a big bowler,” Harbhajan said during a discussion on Star Sports.

Jimmy Anderson would also be thinking if he is the same Rishabh Pant who was defending: Harbhajan Singh

James Anderson, Test, Test Cricket
James Anderson is the highest wicket takers among fast bowlers in test cricket. (Photo: SLC)

Harbhajan further stated that after crossing England’s first innings total of 205, Pant turned the heat on the visitors. He predicts that James Anderson must be thinking whether it was the same batsman who was defending with the old ball and attacking with the brand-new cherry.

“When he achieved the 206-run target, he got back to his real form which all of us liked. Jimmy Anderson would also be thinking if he is the same Rishabh Pant who was defending when he was bowling to him with the old ball and attacking him when he has the new ball,” he added.

Also Read: Learnt A Lot Watching You, Says Rishabh Pant After Adam Gilchrist Calls Him A True Match Winner

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