India vs England: Pant falls short of another Test ton
Indian wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant fell short of slamming his third Test ton in the final session on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against England. Pant duly rescued the Indian innings along with top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara after the hosts lost four wickets, including that of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, in quick succession. Here is more on the same.
Pant misses out on a maiden Test ton in India
Pant continued his astonishing run in Test cricket following a successful Australian tour. After missing out on hundreds on two occasions Down Under (SCG and Brisbane), Pant wasted away another opportunity. This could have been his maiden Test ton on the Indian soil. So far, he has scored two centuries in his Test career; vs England (114, The Oval) and Australia (159*, SCG) respectively.
Pant has been in incredible form of late
The Indian wicket-keeper has been in sublime form with the bat since the Australian tour. He has registered three 50+ scores in the last five Test innings. His scores during the period read as 91, 89*, 23, 97 and 36.
Four dismissals in 90s for Pant
Pant has now recorded three 90+ scores in India, but failed to convert them into hundreds (92, 92 and 91). Overall, he has registered four 90+ scores without scoring a ton (one at the SCG, 97), joint-second-most by a wicket-keeper in Test history. Notably, Pant has recorded most Test dismissals in 90s (4) at the age of 23 among Indians.
Sixes in Test cricket at the age of 23
Despite the team's dismal state, Pant carried on with his knock in an emphatic manner. His 88-ball 91 was studded with 9 fours and 5 sixes. The Indian wicket-keeper now has the joint-third-most sixes (28) along with Craig McMillan in Test cricket at the age of 23. Notably, the tally is led by Tim Southee (30) and Kapil Dev (29).
