Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is gearing up for the crucial five-Test series against England, and has received advice from former India captain Sourav Ganguly. The series is set to commence on June 20 in Leeds and conclude on August 4 at The Oval, marking the start of India's new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, Pant is expected to shoulder significant responsibility in the batting lineup.

Ganguly has urged Pant to temper his aggressive instincts and prioritize a more measured approach, emphasizing the importance of defence and adaptability in English conditions. Ganguly believes that Pant played too many reckless shots during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 in Australia. He scored 255 runs in nine innings, with a highest score of 61. Ganguly wants Pant to display more fight and grind down the opposition, stating, "Be ugly. Look ugly. But don't swing at every ball and give it away." He acknowledged Pant's natural stroke-playing ability but stressed the need to adapt to the conditions and play accordingly.

Pant's recent form has been a mixed bag. He had a rather quiet IPL 2025 season. However, he showcased glimpses of his brilliance with a remarkable century in his final match for Lucknow Super Giants, scoring an unbeaten 118 off 61 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Despite his recent form, Pant has a solid Test record in England, having scored 556 runs in 9 matches, including two centuries and two half-centuries. His previous heroics include a memorable knock of 146 off just 111 balls during India's tour of England in 2022, when the team was struggling at 98/5.

Ahead of the series, Pant has been seen honing his skills in practice sessions. In one instance, he hit a massive six off Washington Sundar that reportedly damaged the stadium roof, demonstrating his power-hitting prowess.

Pant's role as vice-captain adds another layer of responsibility. The team management expects him to marshal the batting unit and provide strategic insights during the high-pressure series. At 27, Pant is one of India's most experienced Test batters. He has accumulated 2,948 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 42.11, including six centuries and five fifties.

The five-Test series will be held at iconic venues, including Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval.