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David Lloyd, the former England cricketer, described Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a “beggar to play against,” a peculiar but apt way of highlighting how disruptive he is for his opponents. Lloyd speculated that Pant’s unconventional batting style must be annoying to England, before adding that the ongoing series would offer fans plenty of entertainment thanks to him.

Pant created history at Headingley on June 23, becoming the first-ever Indian wicketkeeper to score two centuries in a single Test match. He followed up his first-innings 134 with an impressive 118 off 140 balls in the second innings. After his first century, he celebrated with a somersault, earning the admiration of the English crowd, while his second century was marked by a more reserved gesture.

“Rishabh Pant is pure box office,” Lloyd wrote in the Daily Mail. “It’s fantastic to see him back after that life-threatening car crash in 2022. He’s incredibly talented and an entertainer at heart. But where was the somersault celebration on Monday? Come on, Rishabh.”

“I bet he’s a beggar to play against as he rubs the opposition up the wrong way. We’re in for an exciting time watching him throughout this five-Test series,” he added.

Lloyd also praised the Indian batters for their solid defensive techniques throughout the Test, acknowledging their ability to balance controlled batting with attacking shots.

“A batsman must have a solid defence in Test cricket, as KL Rahul demonstrated with his excellent innings. Cricket fans love to see a batter dig it out before shifting gears when the conditions allow. Despite their vast T20 experience in the IPL, India’s batters have shown they possess strong defensive skills and remarkable focus,” Lloyd mentioned.

KL Rahul added a crucial 137, helping India to 364 all out in their second innings and setting England a challenging target of 371. By the end of Day 4, England had reached 21 without losing any wickets.