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Key Points

Rishabh Pant rewrote history books with back-to-back centuries against England at Headingley, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat on English soil. His 134 and 118 propelled him into an elite group featuring legends like Gavaskar and Dravid while shattering multiple wicketkeeping records. The explosive left-hander matched Andrew Flintoff's six-hitting record and surpassed Alec Stewart's run tally for keepers in England. Pant's calculated aggression, blending defense with trademark flair, left even Sunil Gavaskar demanding a celebratory somersault from the young superstar.

Key Points: Rishabh Pant Makes History With Twin Centuries Against England at Headingley

  • Pant joins Gavaskar, Dravid in India's twin-century club
  • Equals Flintoff and Stokes for most sixes in a Test in England
  • Second wicketkeeper after Andy Flower with twin tons
  • Fifth-highest match aggregate (252) by a keeper in England
3 min read

Records galore for vice-captain Rishabh Pant with twin centuries at Headingley against England

Rishabh Pant becomes first Indian with twin Test tons in England, joining legends like Gavaskar and Dravid while breaking multiple records.

"Pant switched from his natural belligerent instinct to a robust defensive technique according to the need of the hour. – Match Report"

Leeds, June 23

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant shattered a handful of records with his flamboyant yet composed century on Day 4 of the second innings of the first Test against England at Headingley.

After his 134(178) exploits in the first innings, Pant acted as the catalyst, with KL Rahul serving as the driving force, as they forged a rollicking 195-run partnership to put India in control of the proceedings. Pant switched from his natural belligerent instinct to a robust defensive technique according to the need of the hour.

He had to bid his time and slowly moved from 96 to 99. Eventually, he carved the ball towards the deep point off Shoaib Bashir and scurried for a single to become the first Indian batter to smash a century in each innings of a Test in England.

Pant also entered India's special twin centuries club, featuring icons Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar (3), Rahul Dravid (2), Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.

The 27-year-old swashbuckler joined an exclusive club and became the second designated wicketkeeper batter to boast hundreds in each innings after Andy Flower, who achieved the feat against South Africa in Harare in 2001 with scores of 142 and 199*.

Pant also joined Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara, and Daryl Mitchell among visiting batters with five consecutive 50-plus scores in England, with Australia's talismanic star Steven Smith heading the list with seven.

The explosive southpaw finished his time with the bat in the series opener with 134 and 118 (252), the highest match aggregate for a designated wicketkeeper in a Test in England, bettering Alec Stewart's 204 (40 & 164) against South Africa at Old Trafford in 1998.

Pant's knock concluded with nine sixes, the joint-most by a batter in a Test in England, equaling the efforts of Andrew Flintoff (vs Aus, Edgbaston, 2005) and captain Ben Stokes (vs Aus, Lord's, 2023).

Overall, during his fruitful run in England, Pant has garnered 808 runs at an average of 42.52 in 10 Tests and 19 innings, with four centuries and two fifties. His strike rate is 69.89.

After arriving at the landmark, Sunil Gavaskar asked Pant to celebrate his century with a somersault. However, Pant avoided the gymnastic play and saved it for the next time. Pant embraced his ideology to inflict a blitzkrieg and unleashed a scathing attack on Joe Root in the next over. On the first ball, he went for a reverse sweep, missed the ball completely, and the ball raced away for a four. On the next ball, he leaned forward and thwarted the ball for a boundary.

On the third delivery, Pant truly was in his element as he carved the ball over deep extra cover to clear the boundary rope for a one-handed maximum. Bashir pulled the curtains down on Pant's knock by luring him to hole the ball straight to Zak Crawley and punched his return ticket on 118(140).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun P.
What an innings by Pant! 🇮🇳 This is why we tolerate his occasional reckless shots - when he fires, he wins matches single-handedly. That partnership with Rahul was pure gold. Hope he carries this form to the next matches too!
P
Priya K.
Pant's transformation is remarkable! Earlier he used to throw away his wicket, but now he's showing maturity while keeping his attacking instincts. That's what makes him special. And those sixes - pure entertainment! 😍
R
Rahul S.
While Pant was brilliant, I'm slightly concerned about his shot selection after reaching 100. That reverse sweep could have cost us dearly. Hope he maintains this form but with more responsibility when the team needs him.
S
Sunita M.
Pant joining legends like Gavaskar and Dravid in the twin centuries club! Who would have thought this when he was struggling 2 years back? This is why we should back our players through rough patches. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
V
Vikram D.
That one-handed six was pure Pant magic! 🎯 He's redefining test cricket with his aggressive approach. But let's not forget KL Rahul's contribution - his solidity allowed Pant to play freely. Great team effort overall!
N
Neha T.
As a cricket fan from Mumbai, I must say Pant has won me over completely. Earlier I used to criticize his careless shots, but now I understand his value. The way he adapts his game according to situation shows his growth. More power to him!

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