Rishabh Pant Shines in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with Record-Breaking Performances

Rishabh Pant's Stellar Performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

New Delhi, August 9: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant had an unforgettable experience during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, a series that will be etched in his memory due to his record-setting performances, providing hours of excitement both on and off the field, and showcasing his unwavering determination to support his team.

Pant concluded the series as the sixth-highest run-scorer and India's fourth-highest contributor, amassing 479 runs across four innings with an impressive average of 68.42 and a dynamic strike rate of 77.63. Throughout his seven innings, he achieved two centuries and three half-centuries, with a top score of 134.

Here’s a breakdown of Pant’s remarkable performances in each match:

1st Test at Leeds: Scores of 134 and 118

From the outset, Pant, who was recently appointed vice-captain, played with an ODI-like intensity. In the first innings, he formed a memorable 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Shubman Gill, scoring an impressive 134 off 178 balls, featuring 12 fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 75.28.

In the second innings, needing a substantial lead after England narrowly missed their first innings total of 471, Pant collaborated with KL Rahul for a 195-run partnership. This contrasting approach was aptly described by commentator Dinesh Karthik as a blend of 'classic music' and 'hip hop.' Pant followed up with a brisk 118 off 140 balls, including 15 boundaries and three sixes, maintaining a strike rate of around 84.

Pant joined an elite group of legends by scoring twin centuries, alongside the likes of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli, with Pant being the most dynamic among them. At 27, he became the second designated wicketkeeper to achieve this feat, following Andy Flower's remarkable innings against South Africa in 2001.

He also joined the ranks of cricket greats like Don Bradman and Kumar Sangakkara by becoming one of the few visiting batters to score five consecutive 50-plus runs in England, with Steven Smith leading the list with seven.

During this match, Pant reached the milestone of 3,000 Test runs and surpassed his idol MS Dhoni for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper, achieving his eighth in the second innings. He also became Asia's most successful wicketkeeper in SENA countries.

In terms of six-hitting, he outperformed Rohit Sharma to become India's leading six-hitter in ICC World Test Championship history. Additionally, he joined Dhoni and Syed Kirmani in the exclusive club of wicketkeepers with 150 Test catches.

However, reminiscent of a previous match in 2018, the Pant-Rahul partnership could not prevent India from failing to defend a total of 371 runs.

2nd Test at Birmingham: Scores of 25 and 65

In the second Test, Pant was dismissed for 25 runs off 42 balls just as he was gaining momentum, while Gill continued to score. However, in the second innings, with a 180-run lead, he contributed a valuable 65 runs off just 58 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 112.06, helping India set a formidable target of 608 runs.

During this match, he became the first Asian wicketkeeper to reach 2,000 Test runs in SENA conditions.

3rd Test at Lord's: Scores of 74 and 9

This match saw Pant sustain a finger injury while wicketkeeping. Despite this, he managed to score 74 runs in the first innings, forming a crucial 141-run partnership with KL Rahul when India was struggling at 107/3. Unfortunately, he was run out just before reaching a century. This run-out proved pivotal, as India lost the match by 22 runs despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja and the tailenders.

Pant also became the first visiting wicketkeeper to score over 400 runs in a single Test series in England, and he holds the record for the most runs by an Indian keeper on an England tour.

4th Test at Manchester: Score of 54

This match marked Pant's final appearance in the series. He suffered a foot injury while attempting a reverse sweep but returned to bat the next day, showcasing remarkable courage. He added 17 more runs to his score, finishing with 54 runs off 75 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Pant's performance elevated his career statistics significantly, ending with 3,427 runs in 47 Tests at an average of 44.50, including eight centuries and 18 fifties. In SENA Tests, he scored 2,160 runs at an average of 41.53, surpassing all his Asian counterparts in these challenging conditions.

He concluded the English summer with 2,731 runs in ICC WTC history, edging past Rohit Sharma. Pant matched Sehwag's record for sixes in the WTC, solidifying his position as one of the top six-hitters in the competition's history.

In England, he has accumulated 1,035 runs at an average of 43.12, with four centuries and five fifties in 24 innings, boasting a best score of 146.