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"Can See Rishabh Pant In Him": Cheteshwar Pujara’s High Praise For Fearless Harry Brook

Jatin

Harry Brook and Rishabh Pant [Source: @YorkshireCCC, @rehnedotum_/x.com]Harry Brook and Rishabh Pant [Source: @YorkshireCCC, @rehnedotum_/x.com]

Harry Brook might have fallen one run short of a century, but his whirlwind knock on Day 3 at Headingley made heads turn and one veteran Indian batter saw flashes of Rishabh Pant in him. Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his rock-solid defense, dropped a surprise comparison that no one saw coming.

Brook walked out like a man on a mission and wasted no time in putting the Indian bowlers under the pump. While wickets kept falling at the other end, he stood tall, took the attack to the spinners and seamers alike, and almost dragged England into the lead. He was dismissed for 99 by Prasidh Krishna, but by then, the damage was already done.

Pujara Recalls Brook’s Early Days At Yorkshire

Speaking on Sony Sports after the day’s play, Pujara gave us a peek into Brook’s cricketing roots and how far the young Englishman has come.

“I've seen his journey when I was playing for Yorkshire, he made his first-class debut. So since then he has matured and he's playing and he's leading in the white circuit for the England team, so he knows, understands his responsibility and the kind of shots he played today—I mean, not many players can do that," said Pujara as quoted by India Today.

Having seen Harry Brook cut his teeth in the English county setup, Pujara’s admiration wasn’t just a throwaway remark. It came from experience, from seeing the young man grow into someone who could lead England’s white-ball side.

Then came the comparison that raised eyebrows and sparked chatter across cricket circles.

Pujara Likens Brook To Pant

“I can see a little bit of Rishabh Pant in him because he's stepping down, although both have different approach, but both of them are fearless. Both of them are trying to disrupt bowler's length, and they are trying to put pressure on back on the bowlers and that's why that's the key, because whenever the team is in trouble.”

Pujara hit the nail on the head. Rishabh Pant and Harry Brook may be built differently, may bat differently, but their mindset is cut from the same cloth. Both are chaos agents, batters who don’t just survive pressure but flip it back onto the bowlers.

What truly makes Brook a headache for the bowling unit is the pace at which he scores.

Pujara added, “Those are the guys who put pressure back on the bowlers and take the game away from you very quickly. Harry Brook is one of them who bats very quickly. His strike rate is always on the higher side, which is always difficult for the opposition team.”

England Still In The Hunt

Thanks to Brook’s fearless show, England are far from out of the contest. With two days still left, they will fancy their chances if they can bundle India out quickly in the second innings. And if Brook continues to bat like Pant, you best believe India better be on their toes.