Did Rishabh Pant Make History as the First Indian Wicketkeeper to Score Centuries in Both Innings?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant is the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test.
- His innings included a score of 134 and 118 in the respective innings.
- He is now the highest-scoring Indian wicketkeeper in Test matches on English soil.
- Pant's achievement elevates him among cricket legends.
- His fearless batting style continues to inspire.
Leeds (UK), June 23 (NationPress) Rishabh Pant has once again made a significant mark in cricket history by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. This outstanding achievement occurred on the fourth day of the first Test against England at Headingley, where Pant showcased his remarkable batting skills, notching up his second century of the match in just 130 balls.
Pant had previously scored a stylish 134 in the first innings, and he followed it up with a brilliant 118 under pressure during the second innings, allowing India to extend their lead. With this remarkable performance, Pant joins an elite group of merely 10 Indian cricketers, including legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli, who have managed to achieve centuries in both innings of a Test.
Remarkably, he is only the second wicketkeeper in Test cricket history to accomplish this, following Zimbabwe's Andy Flower, who set the precedent in 2001.
This marks Pant’s 8th Test century, establishing him as India’s most accomplished wicketkeeper in terms of Test hundreds. The significance of this milestone is amplified, as it came at a crucial moment when India found themselves in a challenging position on Day 4. Walking in with the match hanging in the balance, Pant handled the pressure with grace and shifted momentum with his characteristic aggression.
Exhibiting fearless strokeplay, Pant was particularly harsh on young spinner Shoaib Bashir, hitting him to all corners of the ground with clever paddles, powerful sweeps, and bold charges down the pitch. His innings displayed creativity and determination, as he adhered to his attacking style of play, irrespective of the match scenario.
Further enhancing his growing legacy, Pant—now playing in his 44th Test—has surpassed MS Dhoni to become the highest-scoring Indian wicketkeeper in Tests on English soil.