ENG vs IND 2025 [WATCH]: KL Rahul’s folded hands gesture goes viral after Rishabh Pant’s heroics with bat on Day 1 of Headingley Test

At the close of an action-packed Day 1 of the opening Test between England and India at Headingley, it wasn’t just the runs on the scoreboard that caught attention but also a brief, heartfelt gesture that captured the essence of Indian cricket’s camaraderie.

KL Rahul bows down in respect after Rishabh Pant’s dominant display vs England

As vice-captain Rishabh Pant returned to the dressing room after his gritty, unbeaten knock of 65 off 102 deliveries, KL Rahul, who had earlier opened the innings with a composed 42, welcomed Pant back with folded hands and a slight bow, a sign of deep admiration and respect. The moment was caught by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s official cameras and soon became one of the most widely circulated clips on social media from the day’s play. This gesture, though fleeting, resonated strongly with cricket fans and pundits alike, reflecting not only the bond within the team but also the recognition of Pant’s composure and crucial contribution at a pivotal moment in the innings.

Here’s the video:

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Pant’s masterclass in control and patience anchors India’s Day 1 dominance in Headingley

Walking into bat with the score already in India’s favour, Pant approached his innings with remarkable restraint and tactical clarity, which stood in contrast to the flamboyant style often associated with him.  His unbeaten 65 off 102 balls came with seven crisp boundaries, and more importantly, it helped cement an unbroken 138-run partnership with skipper Shubman Gill, who himself stood tall at 127 not out.

The Headingley Test turned even more memorable for Pant as he reached a historic personal milestone as he became the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to cross 3000-run mark for India in Test cricket. What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is Pant’s remarkable record in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, venues known for their fast, bouncy, and often treacherous conditions for subcontinent batters. In these challenging away settings, Pant has now amassed 1746 runs from 27 Tests at an impressive average of 38.80, which includes four centuries and six half-centuries.

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