Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a marvelous return to Test cricket and showcased incredible stroke-play to score his sixth century in the format.
Pant walked out to bat in the 20th over when India was in a critical situation at 67/3, having lost both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cheaply. Though the Men in Blue did hold a lead of almost 300 runs, they still had to set a commanding target for Bangladesh.
Pant showed maturity in navigating the challenge alongside Shubman Gill, staying firm through the tense final overs of Day 2. Then, during the first hour of Day 3, Pant displayed exceptional composure, focusing on solidifying India’s position instead of taking risks.
He pounced on the loose deliveries and hit them for boundaries but refrained from his typical aggressive stroke play which made it even harder for the Bangladesh bowlers to clinch his wicket.
Pant’s half-century came off 88 balls, a knock slower than usual for the attacking batter. But it also reflected the maturity that he brought with his comeback.
Both Gill and Pant however, would soon shift gears and boundaries would begin to flow as the batting conditions eased. The sudden change in the duo’s batting nature brought even more pressure on the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Pant’s triumphant return to Test cricket was sealed with his 124-ball century which massively helped India’s lead reach close to the 500-run mark. With his sixth century in the format, Pant has now equaled former captain MS Dhoni’s record for the most tons scored by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket.
While Dhoni played 90 Tests in his illustrious international career, Pant equaled the former Indian skipper’s record in just 34 appearances in the format. The left-hander was eventually dismissed by Bangladesh spinner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz on 109. Thanks to his and Gill’s centuries, India would declare on 287/4 and set up a mammoth target of 515 for the visitors.
