What Celebration Did Pant Choose After His Century?

Leeds, June 22 (NationPress) Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who achieved his seventh Test century during the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against England at Headingley, mentioned that he contemplated three different celebrations but ultimately settled on the one he is most comfortable with – the front handspring.

On Saturday, Pant scored an impressive 134, setting a new record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper, surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni who had six. This marks Pant's third Test century in England—a remarkable achievement as no other visiting wicketkeeper has more than one Test century in the country.

“I had three celebrations planned – an OK sign on the eye, inspired by footballer Dele Alli, and another was 'let the bat do the talking'. But in the end, I decided to go with the one I’ve mastered since childhood (the handspring),” Pant shared.

“I trained in gymnastics during school, so I’ve been doing this for a long time. I could perform it even if woken up in the night. After my accident, I had to work harder to get back to this level. I practiced diligently, and now it feels effortless,” he added in a discussion with veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of day three's play.

Pant recounted the moment leading up to his century, which he achieved with a one-handed six off Bashir over mid-wicket. “When Bashir was bowling the previous over, I focused on reaching the hundred. I didn’t want to play conservatively or take unnecessary risks. He was bowling well, so I respected that and took a single.”

“In the following over, I told him, ‘If you keep the fielders close, I will go for the big shot.’ Thankfully, I was on 99 and felt confident. The pressure was there, but my aim was to play according to the merit of the ball,” Pant explained.

Despite an inconsistent IPL 2025 with Lucknow Super Giants, where he did finish with a century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pant spoke about the adjustments he made to excel in the Test series opener.

“I aimed to reduce some risky shots while preparing for the Tests after the IPL. I focused on playing straight and only addressing the wider deliveries as they came. I always think about the bowler’s strategy—what they are trying to accomplish,” he shared.

“Once I form a strategy, I aim to put pressure on the bowler since I can dominate them. It’s essential to play according to their mindset, trying to disrupt their flow. If I allow them to bowl in the right areas, they gain the upper hand. Balancing that with returning to my comfort zone is a continuous process, and I truly enjoy it,” Pant added.

When asked about his solid defensive game, Pant commented, “It largely depends on the area. If the ball is in a good spot, I avoid overreacting. If a bowler is in rhythm or setting up a strategy, I remain cautious. However, when they’re off their game, I seize the opportunity to score.”

Six months ago, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized Pant as “stupid, stupid, stupid” for his shocking dismissal during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, following Pant's century, Gavaskar praised him, stating it was “superb, superb, superb.”

“It feels incredible. I’ve worked hard on my weaknesses and focused on recovering from setbacks to make a strong comeback. By addressing my mistakes through dedication and discipline, I find immense satisfaction and excitement,” Pant concluded.