India vs England 2025: With a thin batting line-up, why Team India needs Rishabh Pant to step up in England series.
After the retirement of two stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the India’s Test batting line up looks thin as it lacks the much needed experience. With a crucial Test series coming up against England, a lot of responsibility lies on Rishabh Pant’s shoulder, with the time being right for him to punch above his weight.
Inexperienced India face English challenge
India’s inexperienced batting line up have an uphill task as they play five crucial Test matches against England to start their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
A lot of players haven’t played a single Test match in English conditions before. Hence, there’s a lot of ambiguity in the air regarding who will bat where and what will be the final playing XI.
Certainly, filling the hollow spaces left by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma wouldn’t be easy. But now that the two veterans have retired, the junior lot need to step up, no matter the level of experience they hold.
Sai Sudharsan
With an impressive display of cricket in IPL and domestic circuit, Sai Sudharsan, is among the favourites who is likely to make his debut in the first match between India and England. He looked very compact and disciplined in his IPL stint and now the management is expecting him to carry that same momentum in red ball cricket. Batting at the top of the order wouldn’t be a cakewalk as countering the red cherry is always a daunting task. But with the skill set he possesses, h in e could certainly make an impact.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal made his Test debut in the last WTC Cycle, which clearly reflects his inexperience in red ball cricket. Even though he started very impressively by scoring plenty of runs against West Indies and England, he would still be counted as a junior in the team. In 19 matches, he has scored 1798 runs with a solid average of 52.88.
It will be his first match in English conditions. Therefore, he’ll need to gain quick experience with the couple of India A matches he played, and reflect accordingly, so that he can counter the tough English pace attack with grit and grace.
Shubhman Gill
All eyes will be on the new Test captain, Shubhman Gill. Like other young players, Gill is also making his initial strides in Test cricket. Additionally, his technique is well suited for tough English conditions. Having been promoted as skipper, now is the time when he needs to step up and lead from the front.
Gill’s record in Test cricket isn’t very impressive with an okayish average of 35.05. Much like Jaiswal, Gill also hasn’t yet featured in any Test in England. It will be his first match in England, both as a player, and as a captain.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul is one of the few seniors left in the squad. Therefore, he will have the added responsibility to perform on the bigger stage. For the past few years, he has looked a bit rusty with his technique and approach. The upcoming England series will demand of him to overcome his demons and play a dominant brand of cricket.
He scored a disciplined hundred in the recent match against England A. Hence, he will be looking forward to carry the same momentum when he steps in to bat against the English bowling line up. So far, he has played nine matches in England, scoring 614 runs with an average of 34.11.
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Karun Nair
Karun Nair is desperately waiting to make a comeback after a gap of eight years. Hopefully, he’ll be in the playing XI in the first match against England. He looks in solid touch after smashing plenty of runs in domestic cricket.
On top of that, he scored a blistering double hundred (204) against England A recently. What gives him an edge over others is his vast County experience. Team India will be banking on his experience to come handy given their thin batting line up.
Unorthodox Rishabh Pant bids to redefine Test Cricket
With all the transition at top order, a lot of responsibility shifts on Rishabh Pant’s shoulder. He is the only wicket keeper batter in the current lot who has smashed a hundred in three of the four SENA countries. He is also one of the few seniors left in the squad, adding to the thin layer of experience in this India squad.
Rishabh Pant’s flamboyant batting style is backed with his stats. He averages 42.11 in red ball cricket with his best score being 159*. Since his debut, he has played in different corners of the world, keeping up the ability to adjust his technique in different conditions.
For instance, the wickets in India and in Australia are of contrasting nature. But he still managed to score truckloads of runs in both nations. With his versatility and adaptability, he can be India’s trump card in the upcoming series against England.
Along with his numbers, what makes Pant a great threat for opponents is his unorthodox batting. After all, he holds the courage to smash a pace legend like James Anderson for six off a reverse sweep that too with a new shining red cherry.
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Rishabh Pant in Test Cricket
Pant can elevate India’s batting line up
The ‘Pant’ factor will create a lot of difference as it will enhance the team’s confidence. It’s time for him to reap the benefits of the experience he holds. India’s Test squad is going through a massive transition. As an experinced horse, Pant needs to a pillar around whom the younger players could be developed. His hunger for runs and an strong mentality makes him an important piece of the puzzle for India in Tests.
While Gill needs to take charge against the new ball bowlers, Pant can stamp his authority in the middle overs. While its true that Kohli and Rohit are leaving behind massives void to fill, Pant could be the crucial link holding India’s Test batting together as the Men in Blue navigate through a challenging transition.
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