'I absolutely love watching him play' - Ben Stokes heaps huge praise on Rishabh Pant's batting

With the second Test between India and England set to begin on July 2 at Edgbaston, home team captain Ben Stokes has expressed his admiration for India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. After Pant's memorable outing in the first Test at Headingley with twin centuries, 134 in the first innings and 118 in the second, his aggressive brand of cricket has earned him high praise, even from the opposition.

Despite India’s defeat in the series opener, Pant’s performance gave good chances of winning. While the visitors posted a first-innings total of 471, thanks to centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Pant, England chased down a record 371 in the fourth innings to secure a five-wicket win. Pant’s knocks in both innings kept India in the game till the final day. Speaking to the media ahead of the second Test, Stokes opened up about the 27-year-old.

“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," said Stokes.

Notably, the England skipper and Pant shared an on-field moment in the first innings when the Indian batter got off the mark against Stokes with a boundary. The shot, smashed over the bowler’s head, brought a smile to Stokes' face.

“Two hundreds in the game, credit to him. 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," he added.

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That is India's problem to deal with: Stokes on Bumrah

Meanwhile, when asked about India’s possible team changes and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the second Test, Stokes chose not to speak on the opposition’s composition and remained focused on his team.

“That is India's problem to deal with. I am the captain of England. Let India decide what they want to do and what they want to say publicly,” he further added.