ENG vs IND 2025: 'One of the best in the world' - Brook hails Pant after Leeds heroics

England white-ball captain Harry Brook lauded the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as one of the best batters in the world ahead of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Both the players were on their top in the opening Test of the five-match series, where Pant scored twin centuries, and Brook slammed 99 in the first innings.

Brook praised the left-hander for his knocks in Leeds and admitted that the audience would turn on the television when Pant is on the field. Pant is struggling with inconsistency in his white-ball career, but in the longest format he is traveling on top. He scored three centuries since his return from the lengthy injury layoff, and also breached the records of MS Dhoni.

“He is an awesome player. I enjoyed watching him bat. He’s an eye-catcher; everyone turns on the television when he bats. In my opinion, he is one of the best batters in the world,” Brook told The Hindu.

Pant’s unorthodox shots in Test cricket have raised eyebrows of many, but his approach made him cement his position as the regular wicketkeeper for the Indian Test team. With his two centuries (134 & 118), he showed surreal talent and put immense pressure on the England players on their home soil. Pant’s centuries went in losing cause as England chased down a target of 371 runs in the fourth innings which provided a series lead.

The 27-year-old’s recent performances have helped him climb one spot to seventh in the ICC Test batters rankings. He is now the second-highest-ranked Indian batter, behind Yashasvi Jaiswal, who sits in fourth place.

Pant kept wickets for 182.4 overs during the first Test and played two monumental innings, which must have exhausted him physically and mentally. The one-week break is expected to provide him with enough recovery time ahead of the second Test on Wednesday, July 2, which will take place at the iconic Edgbaston in Birmingham.