What a player Rishabh Pant has turned out to be for India in red-ball cricket! While his stocks have fallen immensely and constantly in white-ball cricket, he has been one of the best performers for Team India in the Tests. In such a short career, Rishabh Pant is already challenging MS Dhoni’s legacy in Tests, if he has not already surpassed him in the longest format of the game.
On Friday, India and England kickstarted the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The hosts won the toss and invited Jasprit Bumrah & co. to bat first in the overcast playing conditions. India had a decent start but soon they started to falter. After losing wickets at regular intervals, India were reduced to 98/5 within no time.
At this point, the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was joined in the middle by Ravindra Jadeja. The duo decided to counterattack the English bowlers to bring back India into the game.
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Rishabh Pant scores an explosive century to pull India out of the hole
The left-handed southpaw attacked the English bowling attack from the word go and smacked them all around the park. When he walked in to bat India was under a serious pump but Pant managed to put pressure back on England.
Rishabh Pant soon reached his half-century off just 50 deliveries. At the stroke of tea, India managed to recover a bit as India were 174/5. Ravindra Jadeja also played his part with the bat as the left-handed all-rounder remained unbeaten for 32 runs.
However, after the tea, the duo applied for attacking approach as Rishabh Pant completed his 5th Test century off just 89 deliveries. His partner Ravindra Jadeja also completed his fifty soon. At the time of the writing, the duo had stitched an unbeaten partnership of 153 runs off 183 deliveries.
The fans could not stop themselves from praising the youngster and branded him as the saviour of Team India in the vital game.
Check out the best reactions here:
झकास batting from Pant 😎🔥🔥
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 1, 2022
This is great viewing .. @RishabhPant17 doing a Jonny B … #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 1, 2022
What a fantastic partnership @RishabhPant17 & @imjadeja Keep up your spirits with the same intent, kudos to you both #INDvENG 🇮🇳
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) July 1, 2022
Amazing how Rishab Pant has cracked the test cricket formula .. Looks so much more at home in this format.. Maybe a change of roles or batting order in white ball, but for now, another calculated counter attack to applaud.. And Jadeja, just too assured in that role #ENGvIND
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) July 1, 2022
Open the innings with Rishabh Pant in white ball cricket and watch the magic unfold….
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) July 1, 2022
👖 shows that self-belief can make you a game-changer #eitbaarkhudpe #ENGvsIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 1, 2022
Phenomenal from Rishabh Pant. Simply outstanding. Fabulous partnership with Jadeja to given they were 98-5.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 1, 2022
Jadeja at it too! @imjadeja brilliant knock, may you get a ton as well. #ENGvsIND
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) July 1, 2022
Rishabh Pant and his Punch in test cricket continues. Call him a super star for a reason!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 1, 2022
Super stuff @RishabhPant17 👏🏽👏🏽 Easily the best WK batter in Tests right now 👊🏽 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Ue7CqWPtBJ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 1, 2022
Rishabh Pant batting in Tests – Box-office stuff! 🍿😍#ENGvIND
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 1, 2022
