 "Rishabh Pant scored a century in both innings of the 1st Test against England. Image: AFP")
Rishabh Pant has created history at Headingley in the first Test match against England. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter became only the second wicketkeeper in Test cricket history to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. He joined former Zimbabwe legend Andy Flower in the elite list. Pant reached his second hundred off 129 balls.
Pant followed up his brilliant 134 in the first innings with another entertaining and gutsy century in the second, coming at a time when India were in trouble after losing captain Shubman Gill early on Day 4. With pressure mounting, Pant showed his class once again and helped India take control of the match alongside KL Rahul, who scored a ton of his own.
This rare feat has put Pant in elite company and further proved why he is one of the most dangerous and exciting players in modern-day Test cricket. He also became the first Indian batter to score two hundreds in a Test match in England.
Hundreds in each innings of a Test match by Indian batters
Vijay Hazare
Sunil Gavaskar (3)
Rahul Dravid (2)
Virat Kohli
Ajinkya Rahane
Rohit Sharma
Rishabh Pant
Pant was eventually dismissed by Shoaib Bashir for 118 off 140 balls in the 72nd over of the Indian innings. After reaching his century, Pant shifted gears yet again as he smacked Joe Root for a 19-run over. However, Pant did his job brilliantly and helped India secure a manageable lead before getting out.