The much-anticipated fifth Test match between India and England finally started on Friday at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. The fans expected India to start well but Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill got out early. Wickets started to crumble against a quality English bowling in the first session itself. India had lost firt four wickets for just 71 runs on the board. At this stage, Rishabh Pant walked out to face the mighty England bowling line-up.
With the responsibility of saving the match lying on his shoulder, the southpaw did not budge from his usual game plan. He started playing in the same aggressive style as he does in Test cricket. Bowlers who seemed unplayable to others before him now looked dejected after getting hit for boundaries and sixes. Shreyas Iyer also got out soon but Rishabh Pant kept playing aggressively.
With Ravindra Jadeja at the other end, Pant swiftly moved to a half-century. With confidence at a high, the batter took on Jack Leach and hit him for a couple of sixes in the same over. The 24-year-old soon completed his century and the whole country erupted in joy. He brought up his century in just 89 balls- the fastest by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in the history of Test Cricket.
The Indian dressing could not contain its happiness and the Indian head coach, Rahul Dravid, who is a serious figure, was also seen celebrating Pant’s century with both hands in the air.
Soon Twitter flooded with experts and fans lauding the Haridwar born in unison. The greatest Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Simply awesome Rishabh Pant. Well done. Crucial innings by Ravindra Jadeja. Rotated the strike well and played some amazing shots.”
Here’s a look at some of the notable reactions to Rishabh Pant’s century.
Simply awesome @RishabhPant17!
Well done.?Crucial innings by @imjadeja. Rotated the strike well and played some amazing shots.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/9ACuhVlGTT
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 1, 2022
When in trouble, call the Spiderman!
What a fierce knock by rockstar Rishabh Pant against a quality english bowling unit under such circumstances. Best way to fight a fire is to fight it with the fire. #EngVsInd pic.twitter.com/q2mPeqTWyi
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) July 1, 2022
Pant is in a league of his own.
The most entertaining cricketer in the world, this is a special one. pic.twitter.com/PgGTjgxUd9— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 1, 2022
@RishabhPant17 simply amazing ???
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) 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
Got to love Pant, even when he’s murdering us.
Such an entertainer. ??@RishabhPant17 #ENGvIND— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 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
Celebration by Dravid when Pant completed the hundred. pic.twitter.com/VYCGkeOAab
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 1, 2022
Rishabh Pant has arrived at Edgbaston. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/xZokU6d4C1
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) July 1, 2022
Rishabh Pant is the first Asian wicket keeper to have 2 Test hundreds in England.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 2, 2022
The Delhi captain made a sensational 146 off of 111 balls to give India something to fight for. Ravindra Jadeja on the other hand remains unbeaten at 83 off of 163 balls with Mohammad Shami a the crease. Virat Kohli once again got out for a small score of 11 off of 19 balls. The ex-India captain was leaving the ball when it hit his bat and went straight to the wicket in an unlucky dismissal.
