- विज्ञापन -
Rishabh Pant made history on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand by becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to score 2,500 Test runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, achieving the milestone in just 62 innings. He surpassed the previous record set by MS Dhoni, who accomplished this feat in 69 innings, and Farokh Engineer’s earlier record of 82 innings.
Pant’s significant achievement occurred as India mounted a strong comeback, reaching 344/3 before rain prompted an early lunch, putting them only 12 runs behind New Zealand’s first-innings total of 469. Contributing with a brisk 53 off 56 balls, Pant played a vital role in India’s resurgence alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his first Test century.
Starting Day 4 at 231/3, Pant and Sarfaraz were tasked with pushing India closer to the target. Despite dealing with a knee injury sustained while keeping on Day 3, Pant displayed no signs of pain and took charge with his signature aggressive play. He began cautiously but quickly shifted gears, hitting two sixes off spinner Ajaz Patel in rapid succession, followed by a flurry of impressive drives and sweeps.
He reached his 12th Test fifty in just 55 balls, highlighted by a beautiful cover drive off Glenn Phillips, showcasing his blend of caution and aggression. His partnership with Sarfaraz, which added 113 runs in 22 overs, was crucial in stabilizing India’s innings after an early scare and setting them up for a potential lead.
While Sarfaraz dazzled with his century in only his fifth Test, Pant’s contributions were equally essential in solidifying the innings. Since his debut in 2018, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has become a key player for India in Tests, known for his match-winning performances in challenging overseas conditions, particularly in Australia and England.
