The Day 1 of the rescheduled Test between England and India at Edgbaston had Rishabh Pant written all over it. The keeper batter made many stand and applaud him for his dazzling knock.
Pant played one of his best Test knocks and slammed 146 runs in 111 balls to bail India out of trouble and put them in a comfortable position at the close of play.
While many were prepared for the battle between Virat Kohli and James Anderson, it eventually turned out to be between Pant and the English spearhead. The keeper batter batted with such calibre that he even made Anderson look ordinary in front of him.
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Notably, Pant got the better of Anderson even in the Test series that happened in India last year. One of the main highlights of that series was when the southpaw reverse scooped the pacer for a four after the new ball was taken during the Ahmedabad Test.
Here’s the refresher of Pant's six off Anderson in Ahmedabad last year:
While that reverse scoop was still fresh in the minds of many, Pant attempted the shot again in the ongoing fifth Test. Although it didn’t go for a boundary, it reflected the 24-year-old’s aggressive intent against Anderson.
Here’s the video of Pant’s reverse scoop in the fifth Test:
Pant’s rescued India’s innings when they found themselves tumbling at 98/5. He along with Ravindra Jadeja (83*) put on a partnership of 222 runs for the sixth wicket, the joint highest by India against England in Tests, to help India end Day 1 with the score of 338/7.
The left-hander also broke several records during his ton and also surpassed 2000 runs in Tests. He batted with a strike rate of 131.53 and the knock included 19 fours and 4 sixes. He brought up his century in just 89 balls, which is the fastest by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket.