Rishabh Pant celebrates Test comeback with stunning century: Key stats
Rishabh Pant has made a triumphant return to Test cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter smoked a stunning century on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Notably, Pant's preceding Test apperance came in December 2022, against Bangladesh. Hence, he has made a comeback to the Test format after over 600 days. This was overall his sixth Test century.
Pant's partnership with Gill strengthened India's position
Pant arrived with India being at 67/3 in the third innings. He formed a strong partnership with fellow centurion Shubman Gill, further strengthening India's position in the match. The duo added 167 runs for the fourth wicket as India's lead went past 450. Mehidy Hasan Miraz eventually trapped Pant. Notably, the dasher made 39 in India's first innings, contributing to India's score of 376. Bangladesg were bundled out for just 149 thereafter.
Here are his Test stats
Pant was dismissed for 109 off 128 balls (13 fours, 4 sixes). As per ESPNcricinfo, he has now raced to 2,419 runs from 34 matches at 44.79 and a strike rate of 74.11. While this was his sixth Test ton, he has also smoked 11 fifties so far in his career. This was his second 50-plus score against Bangladesh as he has completed 296 runs against them at 59.20. 787 of his runs have come at home, averaging 65.58.
Pant equals Dhoni's record
Pant has now gone par with the legendary MS Dhoni in terms of Indians with the most Test tons as a designated wicketkeeper-batter. Notably, no other Indian keeper has even four Test centuries as Wriddhiman Saha follows suit with three centuries. Pant has also been dismissed in the 90s six times, most for any keeper in Tests.
