Rishabh Pant etched his identify into the document books on Day 4 of the primary Check in opposition to New Zealand, turning into the quickest Indian wicketkeeper to attain 2500 Check runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Pant achieved the milestone in simply 62 innings, surpassing the earlier document held by former captain MS Dhoni, who reached the landmark in 69 innings. Farokh Engineer, one other legendary determine in Indian cricket, had beforehand held the document with 82 innings. Pant is thus the primary Indian wicket-keeper within the 92-year historical past of Indian cricket to get to the 2500-mark in lower than 65 innings.
Pant’s exceptional achievement got here as India mounted a spirited fightback, reaching 344/3 as rain enforced early lunch. Pant’s aggressive innings of 53 off 56 balls performed an important position in India’s resurgence, alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Check century.
India resumed Day 4 at 231/3 with Pant and Sarfaraz tasked with steering India nearer to the goal. Regardless of struggling a knee harm whereas conserving on Day 3, Pant confirmed no indicators of discomfort as he took cost along with his trademark aggressive type. After a cautious begin, he launched a counter-attack, smashing two sixes off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel in fast succession and following up with a collection of stylish drives and sweeps.
Pant introduced up his twelfth Check fifty in 55 balls, with a surprising cowl drive off Glenn Phillips that showcased his managed aggression. His partnership with Sarfaraz, value 113 runs in 22 overs, was instrumental in guiding India out of an early wobble and placing them on track for a possible lead.
Sarfaraz, in solely his fifth Check, stole the highlight with a chic century, however Pant’s contribution was equally very important in stabilising the innings. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has develop into a cornerstone of India’s Check lineup since his debut in 2018, with a number of match-winning knocks in abroad circumstances, together with memorable performances in Australia and England.
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