Although Team India lost the first Test to England, they scored five centuries, where the wicketkeeper-batter of India, Rishabh Pant, smashed two tons in two innings. The England captain praised Rishabh Pant’s game, as he scored two hundreds in the Leeds game. Stokes also said he enjoyed watching him bat.
“I absolutely love watching Rishabh Pant play cricket. I love the way he takes it on, in all formats of the game. He has got a bit of stick in his time, but that type of talent, when you let that type of talent be free, that is what can happen, you know, like last week. Credit to him, two hundreds in the game,” Ben Stokes said ahead of the second Test.
“We know we are going to get our chances with the way Rishabh plays. On a different day, it could have looked a little bit different if one of those shots had gone straight into a hand. But yeah, very dangerous player. We know what he brings to the Indian team. I really enjoy watching him,” further added Stokes.
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“They (India) always fight hard, come hard. (They are a) very passionate team. I think it’s pretty clear that there’s always pressure on shoulders of international sportsmen, but playing for India, especially in cricket, there’s probably a bit more on any other nation. So, yeah, a very proud nation. Don’t take anything for granted from last week. We’re starting 0-0 again. We try and put in a performance that hopefully can take the team (forward),” he shared.
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes also opined on Jofra Archer’s return. Although he isn’t part of the playing eleven for the second Test, his presence in the squad is a positive, said Stokes and he hopes that the pacer will be part of the playing group soon as well.
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“It’s been a long time since Joff’s been in a Test environment. He’s been playing a lot of white-ball cricket over the last couple of years. So, to have him back with us here after such a long time is, first and foremost, great for him. Great for the team. I think it’s very important for Joff to be around the group this week. It’s been a long time for him,” he said.
“The last time he was in the dressing room, that was under a different regime. So, I felt it was important, even if he didn’t get selected this week, that he spends time around the group. Hopefully, we will see him play a part in this series going forward. So, that time spent with Joff and the other individuals in this group is very important for the rest of the series,” Ben Stokes concluded.
