‘He puts you on his toes’ Chris Woakes ‘excited’ is to face Rishabh Pant in the Ind vs. England 2nd Test

Rishabh Pant has began the India vs England series with a bang in Headingley. The left-hander became only the second wicketkeeper to score twin centuries in India’s Day 5 defeat in Leeds. India now rock up to Edgbaston for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test, where Pant scored 146 in his last appearance. Pant’s heroics will have England on their toes, as Chris Woakes mentioned in his pre-game press conference.

He makes the game move forward: Chris Woakes on Rishabh Pant

Chris Woakes revealed that England will have to come up with plans to combat Rishabh Pant when they face off again in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test in Edgbaston. Pant has scored 50 or more in each of his last 5 innings in England, with 3 centuries. Such is the left-hander’s carnege, Woakes acknowledged that it is exciting to be part of the game when he’s batting.

“Rishabh [Pant] There is a player with whom you really don’t know what is coming next. He puts you on his toes as a bowler who is sometimes exciting to bowl but sometimes he can put you on the backfoot. He pursues the game, when he is at the crease, it is exciting to be a part of the game. He scored two hundreds of runs in Headingley and really played well“Chris Woakes said at the press conference before the IND vs Eng 2nd Test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Devbarhmm

Rishabh Pant averages over 42 in England and the most runs by a visiting wicketkeeper. The 27-year-old has enjoyed his best form at No.5, averaging more than 59 in 19 Tests in that spot. Woakes however is hopeful of getting the left-hander out early and suggested they will put specific plans in place.

“Hopefully this week, we can get him a bit earlier. We haven’t met up yet but I’m sure we will have some discussions around the players we come against and how we can bowl better,” he added.