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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.
Rishabh Pant shares batting strategy for English conditions
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.”.
Also READ: Geoffrey Boycott explains why India will struggle to beat England in the upcoming Test series
Pant expected to shoulder leadership and batting responsibility
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.
Also READ: ENG vs IND 2025: Rishabh Pant confirms Shubman Gill’s batting order ahead of the first Test at Leeds
