'One of the best I've ever seen in Tests' - AB de Villiers in awe of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja's partnership in Birmingham

Former South Africa skipper and batting stalwart AB de Villiers has talked about the memorable partnership between Indian batters Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja during the first innings of the rescheduled Test match between the home team England and India.

De Villiers described the partnership as one of the ‘best’ counterattacking partnerships the batting superstar has ever seen. To note, the visitors were in a state of bother after losing half of their side before reaching the 100-run mark during the first innings. However, both Pant and Jadeja played extremely well and stroked excellent hundreds to ensure that India crossed the 400-run mark in their first innings.

Finished watching the highlights now: AB de Villiers tweeted

“Haven’t been home and missed most of the Cricket action. Finished watching the highlights now. That counterattack partnership from @RishabhPant17  and @imjadeja  is right up there with the best I’ve ever seen in Test Cricket!,” De Villiers wrote on Twitter.

Talking more about the excellent partnership, India were 98/5 when Pant and Ravindra Jadeja joined each other at the crease and stitched an excellent partnership of 222 runs. Pant was more of an aggressor between the two batters as the left-handed batter stroked 146 runs off just 111 balls. He smashed 19 fours and four sixes in his innings before getting out to Joe Root.

Jadeja remained unbeaten on Day 1 and completed his hundred on the next day. After scoring more than 400 runs in their first innings, the visitors also bowled really well and gained a solid lead after the first innings. At present, India has lost seven wickets in the game with Pujara and Pant moving back after scoring their half-centuries. With their lead of around 350 runs, it remains to be seen if the spirited Indian side will bag victory in this game to secure a famous series win, or the game will result in a draw. Even if it’s a draw, the visitors are 2-1 up in the contest.