It was in 2018 in England only that Rishabh Pant hit his second-ever ball in Test cricket for a six. Since then, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has had a stellar record, scoring 954 runs in England at an average of 45.42. It’s no secret that he loves batting there, and in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Rishabh Pant has already scored enough runs to become the visiting wicketkeeper batter with the most runs in a Test series.
Rishabh Pant went past Tom Blundell’s record of 383 runs, which he scored in 2022, as soon as he scored the 42nd run in the second innings during the third Test at Lord’s. He scored freely despite being in pain on many occasions due to his left index finger, which was bruised while keeping in the first innings. He batted in the classic Rishabh Pant way, coming down the track and moving across the pitch against both the pacers and spinners alike.
In the process, he equalled MS Dhoni’s record for most 50+ scores by a visiting keeper in England in Tests. Meanwhile, he also brought up his third-century partnership with KL Rahul in just four innings, which is just mind-blowing for a batting pair that haven’t batted together a lot in Test cricket.
After hitting Shoaib Bashir for a six in the 62nd over, Rishabh Pant also now has the most sixes against England by a Test batter, going past the great Viv Richards. The left-hander scored 74 runs before getting run out just before the end of the first session.
Rishabh Pant’s Run out a Turning point for India in the match
India’s narrow 22-run loss to England in the Lord’s Test left fans heartbroken, and according to cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, one moment in particular tilted the game decisively in England’s favour — the run-out of India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, the former India skipper reflected on the turning point of the match, highlighting how Rishabh Pant’s dismissal on Day 3 shifted the momentum at a crucial juncture.
Rishabh Pant was looking in sublime touch, batting through pain from a finger injury and counterattacking the English bowlers with controlled aggression. His 141-run partnership with KL Rahul had lifted India from a precarious position to a place of dominance, and Gavaskar noted how the duo’s contrasting styles — Rahul’s calm composure and Pant’s explosive flair — were perfectly complementing each other.
India, after bowling England out for 387 in their first innings, had seen their top order crumble despite good form in the series up to that point. Rahul and Rishabh Pant stepped in to steady the ship. Rahul went on to notch up a patient century, while Rishabh Pant’s stroke-filled 74 seemed destined to be the innings that turned the game India’s way — until a mix-up between the wickets saw him run out by England captain Ben Stokes just before lunch on Day 3.
Gavaskar pointed out how that run-out not only broke the rhythm of India’s innings but also weighed heavily on the team’s momentum. KL Rahul fell shortly after reaching his century, and suddenly, two set batters were gone in quick succession, forcing new players to start afresh under pressure.
Despite the setback, India did manage to level the scores with England in the first innings. The bowlers then came to the fore once more, bundling England out for just 192 in their second innings — a clinical performance that kept India in the hunt.
The final innings was always going to be tense, and it turned out to be a gripping contest. Once again, India’s top order faltered, and the burden of the chase fell on the lower order. Ravindra Jadeja’s determined 61 offered hope, and he found brave support in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who battled hard to inch India closer to the target.But in the end, it wasn’t enough.
India fell agonisingly short by 22 runs — a margin so slim that every single moment, especially Pant’s dismissal, became magnified in hindsight. However Indian skipper Shubman Gill admitted this crucial turning point alongside providing an update on Rishabh Pant’s availibility in the 4th Test at Manchester. Former England skipper now commentator Michael Atherton echoed the same emotions as the turning point in the Lord’s Test responsible for Indian loss.
Michael Atherton picks the turning point of Lord’s Test match
Former England skipper Michael Atherton recently shared his thought on Rishabh Pant’s run out on Day 3 at Lord’s Test. He said that it was an indication of how players needed to stay alert right therough the days play. He added that giving attention to details is vital because it requires just one moment, like that run out, to turn things around for a side.
Michael Atherton also pointed out how the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Karun Nair’s dismissal in India’s second innings on Day 4 had given the hosts a lift. The former England opener said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast:
“There are two sides to it, isn’t there? There’s the getting close to a milestone, and then how that suddenly, then plays with your head. When you say I don’t like milestones, I love milestones in the context of the play of the game, if you like.”
“It totally changed the way India were thinking about that final over and then the awareness of Stokes to run out Pant is a great lesson in that a Test match day which is 90 overs, 540 balls, you have got to give your attention to every ball because one moment like that can change a game. You don’t know it at the time, but looking back that was such a fundamental moment.”
The fourth Test between India and England will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from 23 to 27 July. India are trailing 2-1 in the five-match series after their narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s. Rishabh Pant’s availability will be a big boost for the visitors as they look to level the series.
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