Which shot is safe to play in England? Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant shares crucial advice ahead of Test series

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Excitement is building as England and India prepare to lock horns in a five-match Test series starting June 20, at Headingley, Leeds. The series marks the beginning of a new era for Indian Test cricket, following the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill and his deputy Rishabh Pant, a relatively young Indian side will aim to conquer England in their own backyard — a feat that has eluded them since 2007.

With England boasting a strong home record and India undergoing a transitional phase, this series promises to be a closely contested battle. Both teams are keen to make an early statement in the first match.

Ahead of the series opener, India’s vice-captain Pant addressed the media on Wednesday and revealed a key technical adjustment he’s made to handle the swing-friendly conditions in England. According to Pant, playing side-on is the safest and most effective approach for batters on English pitches.

“I think this change is mostly mental, but there’s a bit of technical adjustment too. In ODIs and T20s, your stance is a little open to allow shot-making, but in Tests, especially in England, you have to play more side-on — it really helps against swing,” said Pant.

Pant, who has scored 556 runs in nine Tests in England at an average of 32.70 — including two centuries — emphasized the importance of mindset along with technique. He said: “This is a basic technical thing that I have changed. Apart from this, it is just a matter of mentality.”.

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Pant is set to bat at No.5 in the lineup, a crucial position especially after the exits of Kohli and Rohit. With his experience in English conditions and a proven track record, Pant will not only anchor the middle order but also provide guidance to the inexperienced batting unit.

As vice-captain, Pant’s leadership alongside skipper Gill will be key to India’s success in this high-pressure series. The team management will be banking on his aggressive yet calculated batting style to counter England’s pace attack and maintain stability in the middle overs.

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