Harry Brook's aggressive batting in the fifth Test at The Oval has sparked comparisons to Rishabh Pant, with former India coach Ravi Shastri noting the similarities in their fearless approach. Brook's counter-attack not only injected energy into England's innings but also shifted the momentum, unsettling the Indian bowlers.

Brook's innings was marked by audacious shots and a clear intent to disrupt India's bowling plans. Shastri, on commentary, praised Brook's anticipation and proactive approach to scoring runs. This aggressive style is reminiscent of Pant, who is known for his fearless and improvisational batting. One particular shot, a six off Mohammed Siraj where Brook lost his balance but still managed to clear the boundary, drew immediate comparisons to Pant.

The context of Brook's innings further amplified its significance. England were chasing a challenging target, and Brook entered the game after the dismissal of captain Ollie Pope. His aggressive strokeplay, particularly his handling of pace, quickly put India on the back foot. This counter-attacking approach proved crucial in bringing England back into the contest.

Adding to the drama, Brook also enjoyed a slice of luck during his innings. Mohammed Siraj took a catch near the boundary, but stepped on the rope before regaining his balance, turning a potential dismissal into a six. This reprieve allowed Brook to continue his innings and further capitalize on the momentum shift.

Ravi Shastri highlighted the importance of Brook's innings in the context of the match. He noted that after India had picked up a couple of early wickets, Brook's counter-attack swung the momentum back in England's favor. Shastri described it as a "seesaw battle" where Brook's Pant-like approach had an almost immediate impact.

However, Mohammed Siraj's costly fielding error drew criticism from former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting questioned Siraj's awareness, stating that he "wasn't thinking at all" when he stepped on the boundary rope. Ponting acknowledged that Brook reads the bowlers exceptionally well and approaches Test cricket with a T20-like mindset, anticipating and attacking.

Despite the dropped catch, Brook remained focused and continued to build his innings. His aggressive approach and ability to seize the initiative drew praise from commentators and fans alike. Rishabh Pant, currently recovering from injury, even shared a clip of England's batting on Instagram with a supportive message for the Indian team.

Brook's innings, characterized by fearless strokeplay and a bit of luck, served as a reminder of Rishabh Pant's impact on the game. While comparisons between players can be subjective, the similarities in their aggressive approach and ability to shift momentum were undeniable on this occasion.