Former India wicket-keeper batsman and selector Saba Karim heaped praise on Rishabh Pant for his “brilliant” job with the gloves in the first Test of the ongoing five-match Test series in England.
Karim has further pointed out that keeping wickets in England is never an easy job, as the ball moves a lot sometimes after it passes the pitch, and the way the young wicketkeeper Pant kept for India was amazing.
Even, he said Pant’s keeping was better than England’s senior wicketkeeper Jos Buttler as the Indian youngster was not only brilliant behind the stumps, but also taking many catches.
Karim on the YouTube show 'Khelneeti': “Rishabh Pant was brilliant with his wicketkeeping. I noticed that the way the ball was wobbling after crossing the wicket, it wasn't easy. But his keeping was better than that of Jos Buttler. Buttler has played so many times in his home conditions, but Rishabh Pant was brilliant behind the stumps by taking so many catches.”
He also lauded senior England pacer James Anderson for the way he has dismissed Indian batters in the first Test at Trent Bridge. Notably, the 39-year-old has surpassed Anil Kumble's tally of 619 wickets to become the third-highest wicket-taker of all time in Test cricket.
Karim signed off by saying, “It is a privilege for us to see James Anderson playing at this stage of his career. The way he works hard and prepares for every series, every batsman is tremendous. His mindset and the way he sets up batsmen is something to watch for all youngsters.”