Rishabh Pant scored his third Test ton after a string of nineties in recent times to put India into driver’s seat at the end of the second day’s play in Ahmedabad in the ongoing fourth and final Test match. India finally ended day 2 on 294/7 scoring close to 150 runs in the last session of play thanks to Pant’s counter-attacking knock once the new-ball was taken. India lead by 89 runs at stumps with Washington Sundar unbeaten on 60 and given company by Axar Patel on 11.

The England bowlers were made to work extremely hard. They had hardly any energy left by the end of the day’s play. Anderson and Stokes bowled as many as 42 overs together while Leach bowled just 23. Bess had an off day as he bowled just 15 overs and gave away 56 runs. Root tried to cover up for Bess bowling 14 overs and costing 46 in the process. 

Meanwhile, after the day’s play, Rishabh Pant spoke about his counter-attacking innings which put England on the backfoot in the Test match. 

I Just See The Ball And React: Rishabh Pant

“I like to play according to the situation. I just see the ball and react to it; that’s the USP of my cricket. That’s what I think. “I like to play my cricket and make my team win. If the crowd is getting entertained, I am happy to do that.” Pant told Star Sports after his 101 on Day 2 of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

Pant came into bat with India struggling at 80 for 4. They lost three big wickets in the first session with the likes of Kohli, Rahane and Pujara gone. He first added 41 runs with Rohit Sharma and then 25 with Ravichandran Ashwin before the 113-run stand which helped India come back in the match with Washington Sundar. 

Also Read: Ind vs Eng 2021 4th Test, Day 2: Rishabh Pant-Washington Sundar Stand Put India In Driver’s Seat

“The team plan was to build a partnership when me and Rohit bhai were playing. After assessing the pitch, I decided to play my shots. Sometimes when the bowler is bowling well, you have to give credit to the bowler and respect the ball. If you get a bad ball, look for a single or defend it — that was on my mind” said Pant on ow he planned his innings” Pant said.

Pant missed a century thrice earlier in his career. The first time he was out on his nineties was against West Indies in 2018. He scored 97 against Australia in Sydney and got out when he looked good to get yet another hundred. Most recently, he was out on 91 in the first Test in Chennai after taking Jack leach Apart. He has crossed 500 runs in the format already and is India’s highest run-getter this year so far.

Also Read: Watch: Rishabh Pant Hit An Outrageous Reverse Sweep To James Anderson