India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant put on a show with the bat on Day 1 of the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston.

Pant arrived in the middle when the visitors were reeling at 64/3 but he played his natural game. The southpaw attacked the English bowlers from the outset and notched up his half-century in 51 balls.

After reaching the fifty, Pant went berserk and brought up his hundred in just 89 deliveries. He continued his carnage after the three-figure mark to put the hosts on the backfoot.

Joe Root dismissed Rishabh, ending the 222-run partnership between him and Ravindra Jadeja, but not before the glovesman slammed 146 off 111 balls, including 20 fours and 4 sixes.

Thanks to his exploits, the tourists finished the day at 338/7 with Jadeja unbeaten on 83 alongside Mohammad Shami (0).

Speaking after the day’s play, Rishabh Pant reflected on his knock amid the pressure situation and said that he likes playing against England.

"I like the opposition (England) but I do not think about it much. I just look to give my 100 per cent in every match. My focus is on the cricket I play. From childhood, my coach Tarak sir told me that you can hit the ball, but work on your defence as well," Pant said at the press conference after stumps on Day 1.

"I keep working on my defence, in Test cricket, defence is important. Every ball you cannot hit, so I keep focusing and if I think I need to defend, I defend and if I think I can hit the ball, I hit the ball."

"Putting the bad ball away is also important, if the bowler is bowling well, then giving him respect is also a good sign. I try to play to the merit of the ball," he added.

Pant's swashbuckling knock included a four, four, six against Jack Leach. It also had a reverse scoop off James Anderson.

WATCH - Rishabh Pant recreates reverse scoop off James Anderson at Edgbaston

"Especially in conditions like England, where you know the bowler is bowling well, then it becomes important to disturb his line and length. I keep trying that I do not play in the same manner so that the bowler gets mentally disturbed."

"As a player, I look to give my 100 per cent, I try to play my percentage, if I feel if it's there for me to try a different shot or hit the ball, I tend to back it. I have focused on that and it's helping me, I guess," he stated.

Pant highlighted the importance of building a partnership and not losing wickets.

"The discussion with Jadeja was to focus on the partnership. If you think about it individually, then the pressure can arise. So, we thought from the team's point of view. I think I was just focusing on the ball. Yes, the pressure was there. But if you focus on the pressure, you might not get the result. I try to focus on my process and that might give me results most of the time."

"I don't focus on the bowler; I focus on what he is bowling. It is not pre-planned that I have to go after this bowler. If I feel I can hit the ball, I do that. I think if you lose too many wickets, you need to give yourself time. I was trying to build a partnership with Jaddu bhai and we were thinking let's not lose a wicket till the tea break," he remarked.

Pant's century also produced an animated celebration from India head coach Rahul Dravid, who is considered as one of the most composed people around.

"Rahul bhai told me to play according to the ball and focus at one ball at a time, just try to play the situation and not think about what's going to happen," he said.