Rishabh Pant Leaves Tendulkar, Kohli, Dravid, Gavaskar Behind With Historic Twin Tons In England
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In a spectacle of control, courage and calculated aggression, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant orchestrated a masterclass at Headingley in the opening Test against England. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter stunned the English crowd with a sensational hundred in each innings, becoming the first Indian to achieve this milestone in a Test on English soil. His match aggregate, built on scores of 134 and 118, not only propelled India to a strong position but also etched his name into cricket’s elite statistical history. 
His 195-run partnership with KL Rahul became the backbone of India’s second-innings dominance. While Rahul provided stability, Pant rotated strike effortlessly and punctuated his innings with fearless shot-making once set. His innings featured nine towering sixes, equalling the record for most sixes in a Test innings in England—a feat shared with Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes.
Moreover, he becomes only the second wicketkeeper-batter in the history of Test cricket to register twin centuries in a single match—after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, who did so against South Africa in 2001.
Across his England outings, Pant has accumulated 808 runs in 10 Tests, averaging over 42 with four centuries to his name. His strike rate of nearly 70 underlines his aggressive brand of cricket that often turns matches on their head.
Eventually, Pant’s whirlwind innings ended on 118 when he miscued a delivery from Shoaib Bashir to Zak Crawley. But by then, the damage had been done—India were in command, and Pant had left a trail of records and awe in his wake.
Pant’s landmark performance not only propelled India towards a potential Test victory but also redefined the standards for modern wicketkeeper-batters. His twin centuries in the heartland of English cricket will undoubtedly inspire the next generation and remain one of the standout moments in Indian cricket’s rich overseas legacy.
A Blend of Flair and Discipline from the Southpaw
Pant’s batting in both innings was a harmonious fusion of his trademark flair and a newly honed defensive composure. In the second innings, as conditions tested India’s resilience, he adapted masterfully—easing from 96 to 99 with maturity, before calmly nudging the ball to deep point to complete his second century of the match. Unlike his usual explosive style, Pant displayed patience and positional awareness, showing that he could shift gears without losing impact.His 195-run partnership with KL Rahul became the backbone of India’s second-innings dominance. While Rahul provided stability, Pant rotated strike effortlessly and punctuated his innings with fearless shot-making once set. His innings featured nine towering sixes, equalling the record for most sixes in a Test innings in England—a feat shared with Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes.
Joining the Elite Club of Twin Centurions
Pant's achievement places him among cricketing royalty. He is now one of a handful of Indian batters to score centuries in both innings of a Test, joining names like Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid. However, Pant is the only Indian to achieve this feat in England, making his performance even more remarkable given the foreign conditions.Moreover, he becomes only the second wicketkeeper-batter in the history of Test cricket to register twin centuries in a single match—after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, who did so against South Africa in 2001.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
Pant’s overall tally of 252 runs in the match is now the highest ever by a designated wicketkeeper in a Test match played in England, surpassing Alec Stewart’s long-standing record of 204 runs against South Africa in 1998. His explosive scoring also saw him join an exclusive list of visiting batters who have recorded five consecutive 50-plus scores in England. The list includes legends like Don Bradman, Kumar Sangakkara and Steven Smith—an indicator of the stature Pant now commands on English pitches.Across his England outings, Pant has accumulated 808 runs in 10 Tests, averaging over 42 with four centuries to his name. His strike rate of nearly 70 underlines his aggressive brand of cricket that often turns matches on their head.
A Showman with Restraint
After reaching his second century, there was light-hearted banter when Sunil Gavaskar jokingly asked Pant to celebrate with a somersault. But the 27-year-old wisely reserved his energy and instead responded with his bat. In the very next over, he launched into an aggressive attack against Joe Root, treating the crowd to a reverse sweep, a drive and a majestic one-handed six in three consecutive balls—highlighting his unique flair.Eventually, Pant’s whirlwind innings ended on 118 when he miscued a delivery from Shoaib Bashir to Zak Crawley. But by then, the damage had been done—India were in command, and Pant had left a trail of records and awe in his wake.
A Performance That Will Be Remembered
This Test will be remembered as much for Pant’s mental strength as for his breathtaking strokeplay. At a venue historically challenging for Indian batters, he embraced the responsibility of vice-captaincy and stood tall in both innings. With every run, he showcased how his game has matured—from an unpredictable stroke-maker to a match-winner capable of constructing innings of substance.Pant’s landmark performance not only propelled India towards a potential Test victory but also redefined the standards for modern wicketkeeper-batters. His twin centuries in the heartland of English cricket will undoubtedly inspire the next generation and remain one of the standout moments in Indian cricket’s rich overseas legacy.
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