ENG vs IND: We Will Be Back Stonger - Rishabh Pant After Losing Birmingham Test

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant said the team will return back stronger after suffering a heavy defeat against England in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday (July 5). England made a come-from-behind victory to beat India by seven wickets and levelled the five-match series 2-2.

Pant scored 146 and 57 to become only the second Indian keeper after Farokh Engineer to hit a hundred and a fifty in the same Test match. India set England for an enormous target of 378 in the fourth innings. But in hindsight of the game, the target looked scanty in front of a determined England batting unit.

England openers Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) paved the way for the big chase through their 107-run opening alliance before Jasprit Bumrah threatened an implode with two wickets on either session of Day 4.

Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow nullify India’s bowling attack to record England’s highest chase in Tests

England’s experienced batters Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow put their side in a commanding position at the end of the penultimate day before they wrapped the game in the morning session of the final day in their unbeaten stand of 269 runs.

Root (142*) and Bairstow (114*) were disdainful against the Indian bowlers in terms of scoring runs at a rapid pace no matter who bowled against them, the ball was sent to the boundary ropes as the duo combined for 34 fours and two sixes in their colossal partnership.

Target has moved a little farther but the focus is still intact: Rishabh Pant

Pant, who finished the five Tests against England with 349 runs at 38.77, said the defeat won’t change the focus of the team and they will bounce back.

 “Target has moved little farther but the focus is still intact. We will be back stronger,” Pant wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Both the teams will move to the six white-ball matches (three T20Is and as many ODIs) with the first T20I to begin on Thursday (July 7) at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Pant will miss the first T20I as India’s Test regulars have been rested for that particular game and will return for the second game in Birmingham.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant Is Doing Really Well In Test Cricket – Rahul Dravid