Rishabh Pant Century vs Eng Star Wicketkeeper Creates History in 1st Test at Leeds
1. Rishabh Pant’s Century Lights Up Headingley
India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant once again proved why he is considered one of the most dangerous Test batters in modern cricket. On Day 2 of the first Test match between India and England at Leeds, Pant smashed a commanding 134-run innings that helped India post a formidable 471 runs in their first innings.
This century marked Pant’s third Test hundred on English soil, putting him in an elite club of visiting wicketkeeper-batters who have managed such consistency in England.
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2. A Feat Matched by Few: Pant’s Unique Record
Rishabh Pant has now joined a rare group of international wicketkeepers to score three Test centuries in a single overseas country. The only others to achieve this feat are:
Les Ames (England) – 3 centuries in West Indies
Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 3 centuries in India
Ind vs Eng 1st Test Day 2 Highlights Root Falls Again to Bumrah
Pant is now the first non-English wicketkeeper to score three Test centuries in England, highlighting his brilliance in overseas conditions and further stamping his authority as one of the best Test batters India has produced in recent years.
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3. Indian Batting Dominates England Bowlers
India’s Day 1 and Day 2 batting performance was a masterclass in patience, aggression, and composure. The innings was anchored by:
Shubman Gill – 147 (261 balls)
Yashasvi Jaiswal – 101 (159 balls)
Rishabh Pant – 134 (143 balls)
The trio frustrated England’s bowling unit by rotating the strike smartly and punishing anything loose. Their centuries built a solid foundation, giving India control of the Test.
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4. Pant’s Knock: Controlled Aggression at its Best
Pant’s innings was a mix of calculated stroke play and audacious shot-making. He targeted spinners with reverse sweeps, came down the track to pacers, and rotated the strike with intelligent placements. His century came off 131 deliveries, with 16 boundaries and 2 sixes. Unlike his earlier reputation of being reckless, Pant showed restraint when needed and exploded only after he was well set.
5. England’s Fightback: Ollie Pope Holds the Fort
After conceding a huge first-innings total, England had a rocky start to their batting. They lost:
Zak Crawley early for 4
Ben Duckett, who contributed a quick 62
Joe Root, dismissed cheaply for 28
At 121/3, England were under immense pressure, but Ollie Pope brought stability to the innings. He played with grit and determination to bring up a fighting unbeaten century (100)* by stumps on Day 2. His resilience will be crucial if England hopes to avoid a massive first-innings deficit.
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6. Bowling Highlights: Tongue and Stokes Shine Amid Carnage
India’s 471-run total wasn’t without resistance from England’s bowlers. Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes emerged as the most successful bowlers, bagging 4 wickets each, showing great control and use of the conditions. Tongue’s aggressive lines and Stokes’ clever variations challenged the Indian batters, even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect complete dominance.
Other contributions came from Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir, who picked up one wicket each, but they struggled to maintain pressure over long spells.
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7. Rishabh Pant: Master of Foreign Conditions
With this century, Rishabh Pant has now scored Test hundreds in Australia, England, and South Africa, a rare achievement for any Indian batter—let alone a wicketkeeper. His adaptability to different conditions, whether it’s the pace of Perth or the swing of Headingley, has made him a mainstay in the Indian Test setup.
This consistency away from home not only solidifies his spot but also proves India has a genuine match-winner in the lower middle order.
8. What Lies Ahead: Can India Capitalize?
With England at 209/3 at the end of Day 2 and still trailing by 262 runs, India will look to strike early on Day 3. The new ball is just a few overs old, and with Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja operating in tandem, India has a chance to gain a decisive first-innings lead.
Ollie Pope, however, stands as England’s best hope of bridging the gap. His partnership with the middle order will be key if England hopes to avoid a follow-on scenario.
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9. Statistical Snapshot: Pant’s Numbers in England
Here’s a quick look at Rishabh Pant’s Test stats in England after Day 2:
Matches: 8
Innings: 14
Centuries: 3
Runs: 652+
Average: 48+
Strike Rate: 74+
These numbers reflect not just volume, but also the impact Pant has made with his run-scoring ability in foreign conditions.
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10. Conclusion: A Star Performance in a Crucial Series
Rishabh Pant’s century on Day 2 of the first Test at Leeds will be remembered as one of his finest performances in whites. Not only did he help set a mammoth total for India, but he also created history with a rare feat that few wicketkeepers have achieved in Test history.
As the match progresses, India holds the upper hand, thanks to Pant’s brilliance, Jaiswal and Gill’s support, and early breakthroughs with the ball. With three more days to go, this Test is shaping up to be a thrilling start to what promises to be a high-octane series.
