Harry Brook's ferocious knock reminds Ravi Shastri of Rishabh Pant: 'Could see the momentum shift'

Ravi Shastri is known to be a big fan of Rishabh Pant’s aggressive style of batting, and he indirectly reiterated it while praising Harry Brook’s exploits against India on Day 4 of The Oval Test. Brook, who came to the middle when England were in a precarious state, launched a counterattack and forged a massive 195-run stand with Joe Root to weaken India’s grip on the match. The right-hander went on to complete his century in just 91 deliveries.

With Brook steering the helm, England were cruising towards the target, and his brilliance was acknowledged by former India head coach Shastri. He lauded the English batter for taking the attack to the Indian bowlers and shifting the momentum in England’s favour.

Ravi Shastri lauds Harry Brook  

Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket during the lunch break, Shastri said, “The first hour was watchful—really good bowling, plenty of chat out there in the face of the batsmen, the fielders as well as the bowlers—and India picked up a couple of wickets. Then came the counterattack in the next hour. So a seesaw battle—suddenly there was a shift in the balance."

“England started putting pressure on India, the fielders started disappearing into the outfield, catches were taken, going over the boundary line—everything started happening, which often happens when someone comes out there and bats like a Rishabh Pant. Harry Brook was doing a Rishabh Pant for England today, and you could see the momentum shift almost immediately," added Shastri.

Harry Brook continued the onslaught on India after lunch and finally held out just before Tea at the score of 111. Akash Deep picked his wicket, bringing an end to his partnership with Root.

Despite Brook’s heroics, the match hangs in balance

While Harry Brook and Joe Root had done almost enough to assure England’s win in the 5th Test, the Indian bowlers staged a dramatic comeback in the final session of Day 4 to keep the visitors’ hopes of ending the series level terms alive. The match has been pushed to Day 5, where England will enter to attain the remaining 35 runs, whereas India will fight to snare the three dismissals.

A thrilling climax is set to unfold. Let’s see who wins the battle of nerves.