India v England: Rehan Ahmed lauds Ben Foakes as 'best keeper ever' after stunning display in second Test

Rehan Ahmed has described England team-mate Ben Foakes as the best wicket-keeper of all time.

The 30-year-old has regained his place in Ben Stokes' side for the on-going five-match series in India, taking the gloves off Jonny Bairstow.

He played a starring role, despite a 106-run defeat in the second Test in Vizag, claiming six catches and two stumpings.

Two of those were off the bowling of Ahmed, who was left stunned by what he saw behind the stumps.

"I have never seen anyone as good as him," said the leg spinner. "I reckon he is the best keeper in the world, ever.

"He trains so hard. I just don't see him miss a ball. I can't even explain how good he is.

"A couple of those catches, he took 80-90 overs into the game. It's very hot, it's humid and he is still taking those types of catches."

Ahmed has enjoyed plenty of success himself over the first two Tests, picking up eight wickets at an average of 36.38, while also contributing a handy 117 runs from down the order.

Still only 19 years old, the Leicestershire man remains in the infancy of his professional career, and has still only made three red ball appearances for his country.

That makes him comparatively experienced compared to spin buddies Tom Hartley, two caps, and Shoaib Bashir, who made his debut in Vizag.

Each has performed admirably so far though, and Ahmed says a lot of that is down to how they have been managed by captain Stokes.

"Tommy and Bash, you've seen them come in and not be nervous and that's credit to the team," he continued.

"The environment and the leadership we have, it does make you kind of forget the players you are playing against - we just focus on what we need to do.

"They [Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum] just don't care about how bad things can go. It's always about what good you can get out of it.

"So if I bowl four bad balls and get a wicket, that's better than bowling 16 good balls in a row."

With the series poised at 1-1, there is a bit of a break before the third Test gets underway in Rajkot on February 15, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

England have therefore jetted off to the U.A.E. for some downtime, before returning to India in a few days.

They are still assessing the fitness of left arm spinner Jack Leach, who missed out in Vizag due to a knee injury.

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