In Chennai, Rishabh Pant made a grand return to Test cricket with a scintillating century in the opening Test match against Bangladesh. This was the first Test match for Pant after the severe car accident in 2022. India won the game by a thumping 280 runs.
Pant was nothing short of electric, playing his characteristic aggressive game as the runs came thick and fast. His century was his sixth in Test cricket, thereby drawing him level with the former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. And so, Pant now has the distinction of scoring most hundreds by an Indian keeper.
The game had much more than runs. Pant’s effervescent personality came to the fore. Behind the stumps, he was back to his jovial self, getting involved in some good-natured sledging. He even suggested some field placements to Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto while batting. “One fielder here, midwicket,” Pant said, clearly audible on the stump microphone. Shanto responded in jest, placing a fielder in that position.
I was just trying to help the team,” Pant said. His astute strategic insights spoke to his substantive knowledge of cricket. Pant knows what it’s like to set fields, having done it when he leads the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
The match lasted for three thrilling days. His entertaining style kept the spectators glued to their seats. Fans love him because he is always up to something, including relentless chatter that adds to the excitement of the game. Be it his skill or charisma, he becomes an instant favorite.
A second Test at Kanpur marks a series ahead for India. The Indian team wants a 2-0 result against Bangladesh for a clean sweep. But the next performance by Pant is highly expected.
His spectacular return boosts Indian cricket, and his josh-oriented personality is an added advantage. With every game, Pant proves his worth as a player and an entertainer. Fans of cricket the world over welcome this budding talent. This Test series is not a contest for Pant; it’s an opportunity to prove his mettle. The larger cricketing world is now eyewitness to the fact that he got better with every game that came his way. His story shows resilience and love for the sport. Rishabh Pant is indeed a name in the history of cricket.
