India’s newly-appointed Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant shared a light-hearted take on the upcoming England series, admitting that he feels a sense of relief not having to face the formidable pace duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. With both veterans now retired, Pant joked that the pressure on India’s batters will be slightly less this summer.
This summer’s England series marks a significant transition for the hosts, as it will be the first in years without either James Anderson or Stuart Broad in the playing XI. Broad stepped away from international cricket following the 2023 Ashes and has since moved into commentary. Anderson, meanwhile, played his final Test during the first match of the 2024 West Indies series. While he has taken up a behind-the-scenes role in mentoring and coaching within the England camp, his presence as a bowler will be missed on the field.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Headingley Test on June 18, Pant acknowledged the impact Anderson and Broad had on world cricket and expressed that it would be somewhat comforting not to face them this time around.
“Definitely, it feels so good when both (Anderson and Broad) are not there. Because coming from the last two tours, they’ve been there for England for so many years and I’ve only come for two tours. But at the same time, they have enough ammunition as an England bowling line-up,” Pant said in the pre-match press conference.
“We don’t want to take anyone lightly because our team is also young. They’re still looking to develop themselves. But at the same time, we’ve got to play our cricket and respect the bowlers and opposition where it needs it,” he added.
Pant, now one of the senior-most players in India’s Test side, has taken on additional responsibility following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format. With the leadership baton being passed to the younger generation, Pant finds himself as a key figure both on and off the field.
Despite Anderson and Broad’s absence, England’s bowling attack remains dangerous. The likes of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir form a promising unit that could trouble India in home conditions. Pant is expected to play a central role in countering England’s bowlers, especially if the top order faces early setbacks.
With the series being a crucial part of the World Test Championship cycle, all eyes will be on how Pant handles both the bat and the leadership mantle in what promises to be a challenging but exciting contest.