Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has backed Rishabh Pant to carry his form against England in the rest of the five-match series. Pant scored twin centuries in the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley but his efforts went in vain as India suffered a five-wicket loss.
After scoring a brilliant knock of 134 runs in the first innings, Pant backed it with another hundred in the second essay. The left-hander scored a majestic knock of 118 runs off 140 balls and added 195 runs with KL Rahul, who scored 137 runs.
This was Pant’s eighth Test century as he continues to impress in the red-ball version. Pant is the first Indian batter to score twin centuries in a Test match in English conditions. The left-hander also became the seventh Indian batter to score two centuries in a Test match and became the second wicket-keeper after Andy Flower to score hundreds in each innings of a Test.
“I think he will because it seems like he enjoys batting in Test cricket. Any batter who gets two hundreds in a Test match, it takes a lot out of you mentally, not so much physically, getting a hundred in the first innings, and 48 hours later, you have the same kind of reserve to get another hundred. So that is a hallmark of an exceptional player,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports show Game Plan.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul also scored a brilliant knock of 137 runs in the second innings of the opening Test and Manjrekar said it will be imperative for the Indian opener to carry his form.
“Rishabh Pant enjoys Test matches. He has not got enough runs. So he is hungry. I see Pant carrying his form, but there is another senior batter in the team, who now has got no choice but to carry his form right through the series. Indian cricket needs him badly, and KL Rahul cannot be a one-hundred wonder or a one-Test-match performer,” Manjrekar added.
Furthermore, Indian captain Shubman Gill also scored a fine innings of 147 runs in the first essay and Manjrekar added the right-hander would look to keep up the good show.
“As a batter, sorted. No. 4 makes his job also very easy, and I just hope that he can carry on after getting to a 108 or 120 because now he knows what could happen if he gets out. So that is something he will start doing,” he said.
The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.
