Rishabh Pant, the mercurial wicketkeeper-batsman once known more for audacious shots than consistency, delivered a landmark performance in the first Test against England at Headingley — one that didn’t just save India from collapse, but also rewrote history. India vs England
Coming in at a perilous 145/5, Pant stunned the English bowling attack with a masterful 134 off 177 balls, rescuing India from the brink and taking them to 325/7 by stumps. But more than the scorecard, what stood out was how Pant dismantled narratives, silenced critics, and — significantly — surpassed the legendary MS Dhoni in multiple Test cricket milestones.
🏆 Breaking MS Dhoni’s Test Records – India vs England
Pant’s seventh Test century makes him the most prolific Indian wicketkeeper-batsman in red-ball cricket, overtaking Dhoni’s previous record of six centuries.
🔹 Most Test Centuries by an Indian Wicketkeeper:
- Rishabh Pant – 7 (in 43Tests)
- MS Dhoni – 6 (in 90 Tests)
Moreover, Pant now holds the record for:
- Most Test centuries by an Indian keeper on English soil (4)
- Fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 1000 Test runs (27 innings vs Dhoni’s 32)
- Fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 100 Test dismissals (in 26 Tests vs Dhoni’s 36)
This performance firmly places Pant ahead in statistical comparisons with his illustrious predecessor.
🧠 The Knock: Aggression with Awareness -India vs England
Pant’s century was a display of maturity blended with his trademark explosiveness. Early on, he absorbed the pressure, watching England’s pacers — led by Ollie Robinson and James Anderson — exploit the conditions. But once set, he unleashed a barrage of reverse sweeps, one-handed sixes, and fearless charges down the track.
His innings included:
- 12 fours
- 6 sixes
- Strike rate: 75.7
A particularly audacious one-handed six off Shoaib Bashir drew comparisons to his early career flamboyance — but this time, it was part of a calculated assault, not reckless abandon.
🗣️ From Criticism to Compliments: Gavaskar’s U-Turn -India vs England
In 2023, Sunil Gavaskar publicly slammed Pant’s shot selection as “stupid, stupid, stupid” during a series in Australia. But this time, the legendary batter was all praise:
“Superb, superb, superb — today Rishabh Pant showed why he’s world-class. His temperament, the way he paced his innings… This is what we call evolution,” Gavaskar said on air.
Ravi Shastri, too, called Pant a “tornado with a cricketing brain,” and hailed him as a rare match-winner in Tests.
🎉 Viral Moment: Cartwheel Celebration – India vs England
After reaching his century, Pant celebrated in trademark style — not with a jump or punch in the air, but a dramatic cartwheel followed by a backflip, instantly going viral on social media.
Clips of his celebration flooded Twitter and Instagram, with fans comparing his acrobatics to gymnasts and parkour athletes. It was the perfect mix of sporting excellence and entertainment — “pure Pant,” as one commentator put it.
📊 India’s Strong Recovery
Before Pant’s entry, India were tottering. But with Ravindra Jadeja (62 off 138) playing the perfect foil, the pair added 150 runs for the sixth wicket. Their partnership ensured that India not only avoided a collapse but may now push for a first-innings lead.
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal also struck centuries earlier, making this the fourth instance of three Indian batters scoring hundreds in the same innings of an away Test — a rare historic feat.
🧠 Beyond Numbers: Redemption Story – India vs England
Pant’s century wasn’t just statistical — it was symbolic.
After his serious car crash in late 2022, months of recovery, and questions over his place in the squad (with Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul in the fray), this innings was a statement of resurgence. No longer just a maverick, Pant has evolved into a mature match-winner who thrives in pressure.
🏁 Final Word: The Rise of India’s Greatest Test Keeper-Batter? – India vs England
With Dhoni’s records now behind him and key performances across Australia, England, and South Africa, Rishabh Pant is building a compelling case as India’s greatest-ever wicketkeeper-batsman in Tests.
And if Leeds 2025 is anything to go by, Pant isn’t done yet. He’s just getting started — cartwheels and all.
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