Rishabh Pant Shines with Record-Breaking Century Against England
Rishabh Pant's Remarkable Comeback
Rishabh Pant received accolades from former India head coach Ravi Shastri after his impressive innings of 134 runs off 178 balls during the first Test against England at Headingley. Pant's explosive performance propelled India past the 450-run mark, allowing him to set multiple records in the process.
A Statement Performance
This innings marked a significant return for Pant, who has made a remarkable comeback to international cricket following a serious car accident in 2022. Notably, Pant debuted internationally under Shastri's guidance, having played 79 matches during Shastri's tenure.
Shastri's Praise for Pant
Here is what he told BCCI after the end of play on Day 2:
"First (he) is outrageous. I saw that from the first day I saw him. And I liked what I saw. Because he's different from the rest. He plays on his own terms. At times, he'll play the numbers game. At times, he'll just do what his mind says. That's Rishabh Pant for you. There's a package there that can be extremely dangerous in Test match cricket,"
Pant's Record-Breaking Innings
Pant's innings featured 12 boundaries and six towering sixes, including a signature one-handed shot that marked his seventh Test century. His celebratory somersault showcased the excitement of the moment. By achieving this milestone, Pant surpassed MS Dhoni's record of six Test centuries, the highest by an Indian wicketkeeper. His score of 134 ranks among the top performances by a wicketkeeper at Headingley, second only to Jonny Bairstow's 140.
Consistency and Aggression
"And I think ever since he's come into that No. 5 slot, he's been extremely consistent. If you're 30 for 3, for example, you might be tempted to send someone else. But with him, he's so aggressive, he can turn the course of the game. And then, for the others to make the most of it," the former head coach added.
"He came in after lunch with over 100 on the board, and right away attacked the bowlers. That boundary off the second ball was a strong message he is not going to play safe. He is going to take over,"
India's Total and Historical Context
Pant's exceptional innings, combined with Shubman Gill's 147 in his debut Test as captain and Yashasvi Jaiswal's century, contributed to India's total of 471 runs. Remarkably, this is the lowest team total in Test history where three players scored centuries in a single innings.