‘Sourav Ganguly would never have attempted something like that’ – James Anderson recalls Rishabh Pant’s outrageous reverse scoop off him

England will have redemption in mind as they gear up to host India in a five-match Test series, starting from August 4. After all, the Three Lions suffered a humiliating 3-1 loss when they toured India earlier this year. Notably, a place in the inaugural World Test Championship final was also at stake in that series. Joe Root’s started their campaign well, winning the first Test by 227 runs.

However, the home team bounced back brilliantly and registered victories in the next three games. While several Indian players shone in that series, not many hogged more limelight than wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. Having scored 270 runs in four games, the southpaw was instrumental in taking India over the line. Pant backed his attacking game regardless of the conditions, and many England bowlers faced his wrath.

In fact, his sensational reverse sweep off James Anderson was one of the highlights of the series. It was the fourth and final Test of the series and the venue was Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pant, who scored a match-winning hundred in that game, shocked the cricket world by unleashing a reverse scoop against a bowler of Anderson’s caliber.

This has to be the shot of the series.

The audacity to pull it out against James Anderson with over 600 Test wicket, speaks volumes of Rishabh Pant's self-belief.

Unreal action!!#INDvENG #INDvsENG #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/O8Ef0NJiBm

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) March 5, 2021

It is a different challenge for bowlers: James Anderson

The swashbuckler made the right connection as the red cherry sailed to the third man region for a boundary. Recalling the outrageous shot, Anderson highlighted the Indian Premier League (IPL) has instilled a fearless approach in young batters. The veteran pacer even said someone like Sourav Ganguly would have never attempted something like that.

“Use Rishabh Pant as an example, reverse sweeping me in the last tour of India with a new ball and you never see Sourav Ganguly do that. So, it is something that is exciting to see, it is a different challenge as well for bowlers when you get this sort of style of player who is not afraid to go over the top in Test cricket or play extravagant shots,” Anderson said in a select-media interaction.

“I think it is great for the viewer at home to watch. I think IPL generation of players, you can definitely see a difference and a more fearless approach, not scared of playing any shot in any format okay,” he added.

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