While different sessions belonged to either team in the ongoing India vs England 5th Test, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the day belonged to Rishabh Pant. The left-hander batter came to bat when India were struggling at 71-4 against a mighty English attack and changed the course of the match completely by the end of day 1.
India were in major trouble and England looked on course to bundle them out for a below-par score but Pant had different plans. The Haridwar-born cricketer made a sensational century and got India back into the game, earning praise from all around.
The same English bowler, who seemed unplayable to the Indian top-order, looked dejected after every boundary from Pant’s bat. A joyous mood in the English camp soon turned sour by the batting masterclass of Pant. The mood of the English team could be summarized perfectly by a Joe Root delivery that came in the 63rd over.
With the front line bowler looking short of answers, Ben Stokes moved to Joe Root in order to try something different. Root too didn’t find a lot of success initially and was hit by boundaries as well. And, in frustration he bowled a head-high bouncer to Pant on the last ball of his over. Pant being in full flow, smacked that bouncer for a boundary as well.
Joe Root bowled a bouncer to Rishabh Pant, but still got deposited for a boundary. pic.twitter.com/dBN0IlUc0q
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 1, 2022
A few overs later, however, the ex- England captain was able to dismiss Pant. He made 146 runs in 111 balls. India ended the day on 338/7. Earlier, the visiting team had a poor start to the innings. Both the openers went back to the hut pretty early in their innings.
Virat Kohli also got out in a very unlucky fashion. India had lost half of their side for just 98 runs on the board but Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant then stitched a 222-run partnership to turn the game completely.
India will start Day 2 with Ravindra Jadeja (83*) and Mohammad Shami (0*) at the crease.
