Rishabh Pant reached a significant career milestone on Friday at Headingley, becoming the most successful Asian wicketkeeper-batter in SENA nations — South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. The 26-year-old surpassed MS Dhoni with his unbeaten 65 on Day 1 of the opening Test, marking the start of the 2025–27 WTC cycle.
During the innings, Pant also crossed the 3,000-run mark in Test cricket, becoming only the second Indian wicketkeeper after Dhoni to do so. He achieved the milestone in just 76 innings, making him the second-fastest wicketkeeper-batter to reach the landmark, behind Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, who got there in 63 innings.
Rishabh Pant now has 1,746 runs in SENA countries from 27 Tests at an average of 38.80, including four centuries and six half-centuries. By surpassing Dhoni’s record of 1,731 runs in 32 matches, Pant now holds the record for the most runs by an Asian wicketkeeper-batter in these challenging conditions.
Pant Shines with Unbeaten 65 as India Take Control on Day 1 at Headingley
Renowned for his aggressive stroke play, Pant showed impressive composure and maturity in Leeds. His 65* off 102 balls, which included six fours and two sixes, came in an unbroken 138-run stand with captain Shubman Gill, helping India reach a commanding 359/3 by stumps — their highest-ever first-day total in a Test in England.
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a fluent 101, while Shubman Gill led from the front with a composed 127* in his first Test as captain. KL Rahul added 48 as India reached 92/2 by lunch. England’s choice to bowl first backfired despite helpful conditions. Ben Stokes dismissed debutant Sai Sudharsan for a duck just before the lunch interval, but that turned out to be England’s final moment of dominance.
After the break, Jaiswal and Gill rebuilt the innings with composure—Jaiswal notched up his fifth Test century, while Gill followed with a stylish hundred of his own. With the five-match series beginning in thrilling fashion, India’s commanding performance on Day 1—highlighted by centuries from Jaiswal and Gill and a landmark innings from Rishabh Pant—placed the visitors firmly in control at Headingley.
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