The first Test of the 5-match series will begin on June 20 in Leeds.
Team India vice-captain Rishabh Pant, on Wednesday, stated that it is definitely good for the visiting batting team not to be facing veteran England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad when the two sides collide in the five-Test series starting June 20 in Leeds.
James Anderson took 149 wickets against India in 39 Tests, while Broad took 74 wickets in 25 Tests, including one hat-trick.
While India will be without Virat Kohli, R. Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma, all retired from Tests, in this series, England will be missing Anderson and Broad, with Chris Woakes leading the pace attack.
Pant said it was a relief to see the legendary pair missing from the England lineup, but he was not ready to underestimate the current bunch.
“Definitely, it feels so good when both (Anderson and Broad) are not there. Because coming from the last two tours, they've been there for England for so many years, and I've only come for two tours. But at the same time, they have enough ammunition as an England bowling line-up.
We don't want to take anyone lightly because our team is also young. They're still looking to develop themselves. But at the same time, we've got to play our cricket and respect the bowlers and opposition where it needs it," Pant stated during the press conference.
Rishabh Pant also revealed that Shubman Gill will bat at number four and follow the captain at number five in the Test series against England. Gill will now bat at the crucial position after Virat Kohli's retirement forced India to recruit a replacement batsman at No. 4.
"I think there is still discussion going on about who is going to play 3. But 4 and 5 are definitely fixed. "I think Shubman is going to bat at 4, and I am going to stick to No. 5 as of now, and the rest we are going to keep on discussing that," Pant said.
Pant also said he maintains a wonderful relationship with Gill on and off the field.
"I think Shubman and I have a really good camaraderie off the field. If you're good friends off the field, it eventually comes on the field as well. That is something I've always believed. He and I we gel really well together. We keep on having conversations, and the kind of comfort zone we have with each other, I think that is really going to be special for us,” Pant stated.
The first test of the five-match series begins on June 20 in Leeds’ Headingley.
(PTI inputs)