• India's explosive wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the annals of cricketing history.

  • Pant smashed a breathtaking hundred on Day 4 of the first Test against England at Headingley.

Fans erupt in joy as Rishabh Pant scripts history in Headingley with destructive hundred on Day 4 of ENG vs IND first Test
ENG vs IND (Image Source: X)

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India‘s explosive wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the annals of cricketing history on Day 4 of the first Test against England at Headingley on Monday (June 23).

Rishabh Pant creates history with twin hundreds in Headingley Test

Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper and only the second player in the world to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. Pant’s remarkable feat came on the back of a brilliant 134 in the first innings, followed by a masterful 118 in the second. With his second century completed via a single off Shoaib Bashir, Pant joined Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower as the only other wicketkeeper to accomplish this rare double. Flower had scored 142 and 199 not out against South Africa in Harare back in 2001.

Pant’s twin centuries are not only a personal milestone but also a landmark in Indian cricket history. He now joins an elite list of Indian batters who have scored two centuries in the same Test. Notably, legends like Sunil Gavaskar (who did it thrice), Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma feature on this illustrious list. However, Pant becomes the first Indian to achieve this on English soil, further cementing his reputation as a match-winner in overseas conditions. His ability to thrive under pressure, especially in challenging foreign conditions, continues to elevate his stature among India’s modern greats.

Pant and KL Rahul partnership puts India in command against England

India began Day 4 on 90/2 with a slender lead of 96 runs. When Shubman Gill fell early, it paved the way for Pant’s entrance. What followed was a massive 195-run stand between Pant and KL Rahul, who had failed in the first innings with just 42. Both batters displayed composure and class, frustrating the English attack on a worn-out Headingley pitch. Rahul went on to score a century himself, giving India a dual-hero storyline on a decisive day. Though Pant was eventually dismissed for 118 by Bashir, the damage was done. At Tea, India were firmly in the driver’s seat at 298/4, with a commanding lead of 304 runs and six wickets still in hand. Karun Nair (4 not out) had joined Rahul at the crease as India looked to pile on further pressure.

Pant’s success was lauded by many, including Sunil Gavaskar, who had earlier made a special request for the vice-captain to deliver a special celebration after his first hundred. Pant obliged in typical fashion, lighting up the venue with his flair and charm. On a broader scale, Pant’s performance underlined his growing leadership credentials as India’s Test vice-captain and one of the team’s key overseas performers. As India builds towards an unassailable lead in this Test, Pant’s contributions across both innings have likely defined the outcome of this match and perhaps the tone for the entire series.

Also READ: Fans go gaga as KL Rahul smashes a sensational century on Day 4 of the ENG vs IND Headingley Test

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Also READ: Highest 3rd innings score at Headingley – How much total India need to post against England in Leeds Test?

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