India's Test vice captain Rishabh Pant has admitted that he has done some technical adjustment to his batting for the upcoming Test series against England which will get underway from June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. This series marks a turning point for Indian Test cricket, ushering in a new era following the retirements of legendary batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Under the leadership of the fresh captaincy of Shubman Gill, and the guidance of his deputy Rishabh Pant, a relatively youthful Indian squad will embark on a quest to conquer England on their home turf – a challenge they haven't overcome since 2007.
With England renowned for their formidable home record and India navigating a period of transition, this series is poised to be a tightly fought contest. Both teams are eager to set a strong precedent in the opening match.
Leading up to the first Test, India's star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant offering insights into a crucial technical adjustment he has made to effectively handle the swing-conducive conditions prevalent in England. According to Pant, adopting a side-on stance is considered the safest and most advantageous approach for batsmen on English pitches.
“I think this change is mostly mental, but there’s a bit of technical adjustment too. In ODIs and T20s, your stance is a little open to allow shot-making, but in Tests, especially in England, you have to play more side-on — it really helps against swing,” said Pant during India's pre-match press conference on June 18.
Talking about Pant's track record in English conditions, he has amassed 556 runs across nine Test matches at an average of 32.70, including two centuries. Pant also highlighted the dual importance of mental fortitude and technical proficiency for success in these conditions.
“This is a basic technical thing that I have changed. Apart from this, it is just a matter of mentality,” he added.
In the upcoming series, Pant is slated to bat at the vital No. 5 position, a role that carries increased importance following the retirements of Kohli and Rohit. His prior experience in English conditions means Pant is expected to not only bolster the middle order but also provide crucial guidance to a relatively inexperienced batting lineup.
In the presser Pant also revealed that his captain Shubman Gill will be coming to bat at Virat Kohli's no.4 batting position.
“There is still discussion going on who will bat at No 3. Shubham will go in at No 4 and I will bat at 5,” Pant concluded.