Suresh Raina avoids Shubman Gill to pick India's backbone player before ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

The former Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina, has praised the wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, as the backbone of the side before the fourth fixture against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. He felt that even as a keeper, Pant helped the two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, in getting the right bowling lengths during the series.

Raina also addressed Pant’s skills to bat in various situations of the game. He shed light on how the Indian left-handed batter could free his arms when they are under pressure and would need to break the jail, besides showing his defensive batting.

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‘Rishabh is the backbone of the team. He keeps the energy going from behind the stumps, keeping the opposition batters confused, especially helping with Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar's bowling lengths. When he comes on to bat, no matter the situation, he can play freely; even the opposition fielders take a step back and let him play because there's no stopping him. He backs his game.’ The Uttar Pradesh all-rounder expressed during a recent interaction on Sports Tak.  

Suresh Raina claims Rishabh Pant backbone of Indian team

‘He is a once-in-a-generation player who got the backing from his captain and selectors. The way Rohit Sharma backed him gave him the liberty to play his natural game. The success he has had in red ball cricket is his USP.’ The former Chennai Super Kings batter spoke about Pant, who has already scored two centuries in the ongoing England Test series.  

Overall, the left-handed batter has smashed 3373 runs in 81 red-ball innings at an average of 44.38 and a strike rate of 74.19, thanks to 17 half-centuries and eight centuries at the best score of unbeaten 159 runs. In this series, he has clubbed 425 runs in six innings at an average of 70.83 and a strike rate of nearly 80.

‘The shots he plays at any given point in time, the one-handed six, off stump game, his defense and shots in the V, testify that he has a lot of solidity in his gameplan and his mind his clear. He is playing well now, even in difficult spells. We saw how he dealt with Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes. he maneuvered them well, knowing his time will come.’ Raina explained on Sports Tak.