MANCHESTER, July 24: India’s Rishabh Pant has etched his name in the record books once again, achieving a string of remarkable milestones during the ongoing Test series against England, even as he battles through a broken right foot.
With his resilient half-century today, Pant now holds the record for the most 50-plus scores by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test series, five in total, surpassing the previous best of four jointly held by Farokh Engineer in 1972/73 England series and MS Dhoni against Australia in 2008/09 and versus England in 2014.
This latest knock also marked Pant’s ninth 50-plus score in England, making him the wicketkeeper with the most such scores in an away country, overtaking Dhoni’s tally of eight in England.
Pant’s attacking instincts continue to redefine the role of a wicketkeeper-batsman in Tests. During this innings, he pulled Jofra Archer for a signature six off a slower short delivery- his 90th maximum in Test cricket – drawing him level with Virender Sehwag at the top of India’s all-time six-hitters list in the longest format. He now jointly holds the record for most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket.
Close behind are Rohit Sharma with 88, Dhoni with 78, and Ravindra Jadeja with 74, highlighting Pant’s rapid rise among India’s most explosive Test batsmen.
Despite evident discomfort and limited footwork, Pant timed a full delivery from Ben Stokes exquisitely through cover for four to bring up his fifty, a moment greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd at Old Trafford.
This performance adds another chapter to Pant’s growing legacy in England, a country where he has consistently delivered some of his finest Test innings.
Pant’s gritty innings ended on 54 when Jofra Archer produced a peach of a delivery that uprooted his off stump. Despite Pant’s valiant effort while batting injured, the ball angled in from round the wicket, pitched on a good length, and seamed away sharply, leaving him squared up and bowled- a dismissal reminiscent of his earlier one at Lord’s.
(UNI)
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