IND vs ENG 5th Test: Ravi Shastri compares Harrry Brook to Rishabh Pant after fiery knock at The Oval | Cricket News
Harry Brook’s fearless approach on Day 4 of the fifth Test at The Oval had shades of Rishabh Pant, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Former India head coach and commentator Ravi Shastri drew a direct comparison between the two, highlighting how the England batter shifted the momentum of the game with his aggressive batting. Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket during the lunch break, Shastri said, “The first hour was watchful — really good bowling, plenty of chat out there in the face of the batsmen, the fielders as well as the bowlers — and India picked up a couple of wickets. Then came the counter-attack in the next one hour. So a seesaw battle — suddenly there was a shift in the balance.”“England started putting pressure on India, the fielders started disappearing into the outfield, catches were taken, going over the boundary line — everything started happening, which often happens when someone comes out there and bats like a Rishabh Pant. Harry Brook was doing a Rishabh Pant for England today, and you could see the momentum shift almost immediately,” exclaimed Shastri, who gave praise where it was due.
Brook came in after the dismissal of England captain Ollie Pope and wasted no time. His aggressive strokeplay, especially his handling of pace, unsettled India’s bowling plans and brought England back into the contest. His attacking approach also earned him a slice of luck. Mohammed Siraj took a catch near the boundary to seemingly dismiss Brook, but stepped on the rope before regaining balance — handing the batter six runs and another chance. Brook had already made a Pant-like impression on Day 3 when he swept Siraj for a six while falling over, a shot that stunned the commentators and fans alike. With England chasing a challenging target, Brook’s counter-attack has proven crucial.
Poll
Who do you think has a more aggressive batting style, Harry Brook or Rishabh Pant?
The batter has already claimed a fighting fifty, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls, making it his 14th Test match fifty. Brook’s fifty is the joint-third fastest by an England batter against India in Tests. Remarkably, it is also his second quickest half-century overall, only behind his 37-ball effort against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in 2023.
