How Did Captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant Lead India to 454/7 Against England?

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How Did Captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant Lead India to 454/7 Against England?

Synopsis

In a thrilling display of cricket, Shubman Gill's career-best 147 and Rishabh Pant's explosive 134 lifted India to 454/7 against England. This match marks a significant moment in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley, showcasing exceptional batting prowess and setting the stage for a nail-biting contest.

Key Takeaways

  • Shubman Gill scored a career-best 147.
  • Rishabh Pant achieved his seventh Test century.
  • India reached 454/7 at lunch on day two.
  • Pant surpassed MS Dhoni for the most centuries by an Indian keeper.
  • The partnership of Gill and Pant was crucial, contributing significantly to India's total.

Leeds, June 21 (NationPress) Captain Shubman Gill achieved a remarkable career-best score of 147, while vice-captain Rishabh Pant dazzled with an incredible 134, propelling India to 454/7 in 108.4 overs at lunch on the second day of the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley on Saturday. Starting from 359/3, India experienced a session divided into two distinct halves – accumulating 53/0 before the drinks break. At that point, Pant celebrated his seventh Test century, surpassing MS Dhoni (six) for the record of most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper.

The flamboyant Pant's third Test century in England, characterized by both elegance and audacity in stroke-play, marks an unprecedented achievement for a visiting keeper. However, after the drinks break, India faced a setback, losing four wickets, including both centurions Gill and Pant, for a mere 42 runs, giving England a glimmer of hope to restrict India below 500.

Gill initiated Day Two with a splendid extra cover drive off Chris Woakes for four, while Pant struck boundaries off Brydon Carse, despite an earlier miss. The duo continued to score freely, with Pant reaching the 90s with a stunning scoop off Shoaib Bashir for four, then blasting him for six.

Pant then stepped out to execute a remarkable one-handed six over midwicket, bringing up his century off 146 deliveries and celebrating with his signature somersault, a skill honed through gymnastics in his younger years.

The partnership reached 200 runs when Pant cleared long-off for six off Bashir before the off-spinner dismissed Gill, who made a stylish 147, by catching him out at deep square leg.

Pant's exploits continued as he struck Ben Stokes for four, slog-swept Bashir for six, and pulled Stokes for yet another boundary. However, Karun Nair's return to the Test squad after eight years was short-lived, as he edged a wide ball from Stokes, with Ollie Pope taking a spectacular catch to dismiss him for a duck.

With reverse swing in play, Pant struggled against Josh Tongue's inswingers, ultimately being trapped lbw by a sharp nip-backer. Shortly thereafter, Shardul Thakur was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Stokes, leaving India's aspirations of reaching 600 in doubt.

Brief scores:

India 454/7 in 108.4 overs (Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134; Ben Stokes 4-66, Josh Tongue 1-79) against England

Point of View

The performance of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant not only emphasizes their individual talents but also reflects the strength of Indian cricket on an international stage. This match is pivotal as it showcases the depth and resilience of the team, fostering hope for a successful series against England.
NationPress
21/06/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the score of India in the first Test?
India scored 454/7 in 108.4 overs against England.
Who scored the highest runs for India in this Test?
Captain Shubman Gill scored the highest runs, achieving a career-best 147.
How many centuries has Rishabh Pant scored in Tests?
Rishabh Pant has now hit seven Test centuries, surpassing MS Dhoni's six centuries as an Indian wicketkeeper.
When was the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test held?
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test was held on June 21 at Headingley.
What was the session score before the drinks break?
Before the drinks break, India scored 53 runs without losing any wickets.