Rishabh Pant pulled off something truly remarkable at Headingley, a performance that will be remembered for years. Scoring 134 in the first innings and backing it up with 118 in the second, Pant became the first Indian cricketer to hit centuries in both innings of a Test match in England.
Under a clouded sky on Day 4 at Headingley, India were batting to build a formidable lead. Pant walked in after Shubman Gill’s dismissal, with KL Rahul already providing solid groundwork.
He tore into England’s attack after settling in. Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Joe Root, all felt his fury. 15 fours and three sixes later, the southpaw brought up a commanding 118 runs off just 140 balls. He was eventually dismissed by Bashir.
Also read: England vs India: KL Rahul Equals Sehwag and Vijay for Most 50+ Scores by an Indian Opener in SENA
Rishabh Pant Shatters Record Books with Twin Tons at Headingley
In the process, Rishabh Pant broke several records. He became the first Indian in history to score hundreds in both innings of a Test match in England, a milestone unmatched by some of India’s greatest batters. Only one other wicket-keeper in Test cricket, Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, had ever achieved the same.
Pant also became the seventh Indian overall to record twin Test centuries, joining a group that includes Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.
His match aggregate of 252 runs (134 and 118) is now the highest by an designated wicket-keeper in a single Test in England.
Pant struck 15 fours and three sixes in his second-innings knock alone, bringing his match total to nine sixes. This tied him with Ben Stokes and Andrew Flintoff for the most sixes in a single Test in England.
Headingley Test Hangs in the Balance Heading Into Final Day
After Pant’s second innings hundred and a 195-run partnership with KL Rahul pushed the visitors to 364, England were left needing 371 for victory. In the remaining overs of the day, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett survived a tricky spell, taking the score to 21 without loss by stumps.
With all ten wickets intact and the pitch still playing true for the most part, England will fancy their chances of pushing the game deep. The first hour on Day 5 could prove decisive. A couple of early wickets, and India will have their noses in front. But if England’s top order settles in, this chase could turn into something far more dramatic than expected.
Also read: England vs India: KL and Pant’s Brilliance Sets 371 Before India Collapse Again
