At Headingley, during the second day of the opening Test between India and England, Rishabh Pant once again showcased why he remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling cricketers in modern Test cricket. With his seventh century in the format—his third in England—the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter demonstrated how he’s matured without losing his flair.
Pant reached the milestone with a stunning combination of control and explosive shot-making, reaching his ton in 146 balls—his slowest yet in Tests. Yet, the innings was anything but dull. From lofting Ben Stokes over his head shortly after arriving at the crease to crafting boundaries with surgical precision, Pant kept fans and teammates on edge.
His century celebration was theatrical: after reaching the landmark, Pant calmly removed his helmet and gloves, placed them neatly on the ground, and executed a picture-perfect somersault before embracing skipper Shubman Gill. The dressing room erupted. Sunil Gavaskar, who had previously criticized Pant’s risky shots, was full of praise this time, calling the knock “superb, superb, superb.”
The performance at Leeds also saw Pant eclipse MS Dhoni’s record for most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper. His tally of seven centuries now puts him ahead of legends, reinforcing his place in India’s red-ball setup. He was methodical when needed, defending stoutly when England bowled tight lines, and flamboyant when he spotted an opening. Sixty-four percent of his runs came through boundaries, yet he showed restraint, even outscoring fellow batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill in control.
Former head coach Ravi Shastri summed it up aptly: “Kya player hai.” Known for encouraging Pant’s aggressive instincts while nudging him toward smart shot selection, Shastri was often seen supporting Pant’s fearless approach during his coaching stint.
Saturday’s innings was even more significant as it was Pant’s first Test as vice-captain. Coming off a lukewarm IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, this performance was a timely reminder of his value in the longer format. At an average of 43.30 per Test innings and a scoring rate of nearly 74 per 100 balls, Pant remains a unique asset.
Even his dismissal was classic Pant: not offering a shot for the first time in his Test career, just minutes before lunch—a rare lapse from a player who thrives on instinct. Still, the message is clear. He may frustrate with his risk-taking, but when it comes off, it’s magic.
Let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant. His unorthodox brilliance is a gift worth cherishing.
