Rishabh Pant Archives

Buttler ranks Pant above Dhoni among top five wicketkeepers

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has hailed India’s Rishabh Pant as one of the best in the world, placing him at the very top during a blind ranking challenge conducted by British media during The Hundred.

Buttler was presented with an intriguing challenge: to rank five renowned wicketkeepers from various cricketing eras, all without prior knowledge of the complete list of names.

The selections provided to him included prominent figures such as Rishabh Pant, the legendary MS Dhoni, the versatile AB de Villiers, the dynamic Quinton de Kock, and, interestingly, himself.

The former England cricket captain designated Rishabh Pant as his top choice, highlighting the Indian batter’s impressive performances in recent matches.

Following closely behind at the second spot was South African star Quinton de Kock, who has also shone brightly in the international arena.

Interestingly, Buttler placed the legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni at number four, a decision that raised eyebrows given Dhoni’s iconic status in cricket history.

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As Buttler moved down the list, he encountered the name of AB de Villiers. It was at this moment that he admitted to having “messed up” the order, ultimately deciding to slot the South African cricketing great into the third position.

In a humble conclusion to his ranking exercise, Buttler positioned himself at the bottom of the list.

Speaking after the challenge, Jos Buttler reflected on his admiration for MS Dhoni.

“MS is quite an amazing cricketer. I love the way he leaves people guessing; he doesn’t ride on emotions and always seems one step ahead,” he said.

“He intrigued me with his thinking and the way he made things simple. During the IPL in 2020, I was fortunate to receive his jersey, which was really special.”

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Rishabh Pant’s replacement named for fifth England Test

MANCHESTER: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named uncapped wicketkeeper Narayan Jagadeesan as the replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant ahead of the fifth Test against England, which is scheduled to be played at The Oval.

The 29-year-old wicket-keeper from Tamil Nadu has received his first call-up to the Indian team and is expected to join the squad in London by Tuesday after obtaining his visa on Sunday morning.

He will serve as a backup to Dhruv Jurel, who has kept wickets in the last two Test matches against England in Pant’s absence.

For the unversed, Rishabh Pant fractured his right foot while batting on the first day of the recently concluded fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Earlier in the series, he also struggled with a finger injury during the third Test, but he continued to bat despite these ongoing issues.

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Pant’s injury turned out to be a fortunate opportunity for Jagadeesan, who has consistently performed well in domestic cricket and has long caught the attention of national selectors.

He topped the run charts for Tamil Nadu in consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons, scoring 816 runs at an average of 74.18 in 2023-24, followed by 674 runs at an average of 56.16 in 2024-25.

Since making his first-class debut in 2016, Jagadeesan has accumulated a total of 3,373 runs in 79 innings at an average of 47.50.

His impressive record includes 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 321 against Chandigarh in January 2024.

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Rishabh Pant set to miss remainder of England Test series

India’s vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the ongoing fourth Test against England at Old Trafford as well as the fifth and final Test at The Oval after scans confirmed a fracture in his right foot.

Pant, who was batting fluently on 37, sustained the injury while attempting a reverse sweep against England all-rounder Chris Woakes on Day 1.

He immediately looked in discomfort and was forced to retire hurt before being taken off the field on a golf cart.

Medical scans later revealed a metatarsal fracture, with the initial recovery window estimated between six to eight weeks.

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This marks the second injury scare for the 26-year-old in the last two matches. In the previous Test at Lord’s, Pant had also injured his left index finger while keeping wickets.

Dhruv Jurel, who replaced him behind the stumps then, is once again expected to take over the gloves for the remainder of the series.

While Rishabh Pant will not resume wicketkeeping duties in Manchester, the final call on whether he will bat in the second innings will rest with the team management and the BCCI’s medical team.

India currently trail the five-match series 2-1. The fourth Test in Manchester runs until July 27, while the fifth Test at The Oval begins on July 31.

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WATCH: Rishabh Pant taken off field after freak foot injury in Manchester Test

MANCHESTER: Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant suffered a freakish injury during the fourth India vs England Test here at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The southpaw injured himself in an attempt to play audacious reverse sweep of paceman Chris Woakes in the 68th over of India’s first innings.

However, he survived England’s review call, but looked utterly uncomfortable and immediately signaled for medical assistance after hurting his foot. As a result, he was forced to retire and was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja.

The 27-year-old batter arrived at the crease after India captain Shubman Gill was dismissed by his counterpart Ben Stokes for 12 on the first day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

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With the scoreboard showing India at 140 for three, Rishabh Pant joined Sai Sudharsan to take forward the tourists’ innings. The left-handed batter looked in touch and scored 37 off 48 balls, with the help of two fours and a six.

Consequently, India ended their hard-fought day on 264-4 with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur unbeaten on 19 runs respectively.

During the morning, Jaiswal and fellow opener KL Rahul defied difficult conditions and testing bowling from Woakes and Jofra Archer to take India to 78-0 at lunch.

But Rahul had added just six more runs to his lunch score of 40 when, trying to force Woakes off the back foot, he edged to Zak Crawley at third slip, leaving India 94-1.

Jaiswal late-cut Carse for four to go to 49 before completing a 96-ball fifty.

Meanwhile, Liam Dawson, who was making his comeback into Test cricket, needed just seven balls to strike, removing Jaiswal, who pushed forward defensively to a good-length delivery and edged to Harry Brook at first slip.

READ: India edge ahead on hard-fought opening day as Pant faces injury concern

India edge ahead on hard-fought opening day as Pant faces injury concern

MANCHESTER: A potentially major setback occurred in the shape of Rishabh Pant as the gruelling opening day of the fourth India vs England Test ended here at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Earlier, spinner Liam Dawson marked his first Test in eight years with the key wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal after England captain Ben Stokes went against history by opting to bowl first after winning the toss.

No team winning the toss and bowling first has ever won a Test at Old Trafford.

India, 2-1 down after three Tests, must win in Manchester if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the five-match series.

But the tourists will have to make history as they have never managed to win in nine previous Tests at Old Trafford.

India got through the first session without losing a wicket, only for three batsmen, including skipper Shubman Gill, to be dismissed before tea.

The recalled Sai Sudharsan dropped on 20, twice hooked fast bowler Jofra Archer for four before Pant launched Brydon Carse for a superb straight six.

But the audacious Pant was hurt when trying to reverse sweep off a yorker-length delivery from paceman Chris Woakes — a shot many batsmen would not even contemplate, let alone attempt.

England appealed for lbw, but a review revealed wicketkeeper Pant had got an inside edge before the ball deflected onto his right foot.

Pant, who had made 37 off 48 balls, took his boot off and, following on-field treatment, eventually limped into a buggy before being driven off the field, with India then 212-3.

Soon afterwards, Sudharsan fell for a well-made 61 when a top-edged swivel pull off a shirt ball from lively paceman Stokes that cramped him for room flew straight to Carse at long leg.

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Even though the floodlights were on, there were still several overs remaining when the umpires took the players off for bad light despite England bowling spin at both ends with Dawson and the part-time off-breaks of Joe Root.

Jaiswal and fellow opener KL Rahul defied difficult conditions and testing bowling from Woakes and Jofra Archer to take India to 78-0 at lunch.

But Rahul had added just six more runs to his lunch score of 40 when, trying to force Woakes off the back foot, he edged to Zak Crawley at third slip, leaving India 94-1.

Jaiswal late-cut Carse for four to go to 49 before completing a 96-ball fifty.

Dawson, recalled after 21-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir suffered a series-ending finger injury during England’s thrilling 22-run win in the third Test at Lord’s, did not bowl before lunch.

But the Hampshire veteran, 35, playing his first Test since 2017, needed just seven balls to strike on Wednesday when Jaiswal pushed forward defensively to a good-length delivery and edged to Harry Brook at first slip.

Gill, who had accused England of contravening “the spirit of cricket” with their time-wasting tactics during an ill-tempered match at Lord’s, was greeted with a chorus of boos from spectators as he walked out to the middle.

Shortly after Sudharsan was dropped by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off the bowling of Stokes, the England skipper removed Gill for 12 when his opposing skipper played no shot and was judged lbw after a vociferous appeal from the all-rounder.

Gill reviewed, but to no avail, as India now stood at 140-3.

His early exit means he has scored just 34 runs in his past three innings after scoring three hundreds in the first two Tests.

The fifth and final India vs England Test takes place at the Oval, starting on July 31.

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Rishabh Pant joins unwanted club after twin centuries in Headingley Test

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books with twin centuries in the Headingley Test against England, but his outstanding effort wasn’t enough to save his side from the defeat.

Pant, who was in sublime touch throughout the match, scored 134 off 178 deliveries in the first innings, hitting 12 fours and six sixes.

He followed it up with another masterclass in the second innings, a 118-run knock off 140 balls, laced with 15 boundaries and three maximums.

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Despite his brilliance, India suffered a comprehensive five-wicket defeat, making Rishabh Pant part of an unfortunate record in Test cricket.

With this feat, the left-hander became just the fourth Indian, and 12th overall, to score centuries in both innings of a Test that ended in defeat.

He now joins an elite but ill-fated group that includes Vijay Hazare (1948 vs Australia), Sunil Gavaskar (1978 vs Pakistan), and Virat Kohli (2014 vs Australia).

Here’s the complete list of players with twin centuries in a losing cause:

George Headley (v England, 1939)
Vijay Hazare (v Australia, 1948)
Clyde Walcott (v Australia, 1955)
Sunil Gavaskar (v Pakistan, 1978)
Andy Flower (v South Africa, 2001)
Brian Lara (v Sri Lanka, 2001)
Andrew Strauss (v India, 2008)
Hashim Amla (v India, 2010)
Virat Kohli (v Australia, 2014)
Brendan Taylor (v Bangladesh, 2018)
Rishabh Pant (v England, 2025)

For the unversed, India set England a challenging target of 371 runs, which the hosts successfully chased down in the final session, losing five wickets in the process.

Star batter Joe Root remained not out at 53 runs, while Jamie Smith contributed an unbeaten 44 runs.

However, it was Ben Duckett who played a crucial role in England’s triumphant chase, scoring 149 runs off 170 balls, including 22 boundaries and one six.

This victory marked the second-highest run chase at Headingley, surpassing the previous record of 362 for 2 set against Australia during the 2019 Ashes.

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Rishabh Pant penalized for code of conduct breach during Headingley Test

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the third day of the first Test against England at Headingley.

The 27-year-old was found guilty of a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.”

The incident occurred towards the end of the 61st over in England’s first innings, when the on-field umpires inspected the condition of the ball but opted not to replace it.

The wicket-keeper, unhappy with the decision, expressed his frustration by arguing with the umpires and then throwing the ball on the ground.

Following the incident, Rishabh Pant was handed an official reprimand and received one demerit point, his first such offence within a 24-month period.

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Pant admitted the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, thereby avoiding a formal hearing.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Mike Burns.

According to ICC regulations, Level 1 breaches can lead to a minimum sanction of an official reprimand and a maximum of a 50% match fee fine along with one or two demerit points.

Despite facing disciplinary action, Pant played a pivotal role with the bat, scoring a valuable century that helped India set a target of 371 runs.

In this match, he not only scored centuries in both innings but also became the first Indian wicketkeeper to achieve this feat.

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India set England stiff 371-run chase as Pant, Rahul hit tons

Rishabh Pant became the first India batter to score hundreds in both innings of a Test against England before the hosts hit back to leave themselves 371 to win the series opener at Headingley on Monday.

England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett survived a potentially tricky six-over spell against Indian pacer to take their team to 21-0 at stumps, with the hosts now needing a further 350 runs to go 1-0 up in this five-match series.

Swashbuckling wicketkeeper Pant, who made 134 in the first innings, completed a 130-ball century, including 13 fours and two sixes on the fourth afternoon before falling for 118.

Pant’s dismissal ended a stand of 195 with KL Rahul that started with the match in the balance when India were 92-3 in their second innings.

Rahul went on to make 137 but from the relative safety of 333-4, India lost their last six wickets for 31 runs as they slumped to 364 all out, with fast bowler Josh Tongue doing the bulk of the damage in a burst of three wickets in four balls.

India also collapsed in the first innings. Despite hundreds from captain Shubman Gill, Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, they were dismissed for 471 after losing their last seven wickets for 41 runs.

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The outstanding Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, took five wickets in England’s first-innings 465 and will be the danger man for the tourists in the decisive final innings of the match.

However, England reached a target of 378 — their record successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket — against a Bumrah-led India attack at Edgbaston three years ago.

If England do make 371, it will be the second-highest winning fourth-innings chase in a Test at Headingley, surpassing the 362-9 they made against Australia in 2019 when captain Ben Stokes sealed a dramatic Ashes win with an unbeaten century.

Pant is just the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score hundreds in both innings of the same match, following Andy Flower’s scores of 142 and 199 not out for Zimbabwe against South Africa in 2001.

After a morning session in which India skipper Gill was the only batter dismissed, Rahul and Pant upped the tempo in their contrasting styles.

Pant completed an 83-ball fifty before driving Shoaib Bashir for two soaring sixes in three balls.

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‘They were speaking loudly in Hindi’: Tendulkar reveals Gill-Rishabh’s ploy vs England

LEEDS: India batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has revealed the genius ploy of captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant during the opening Test first innings against England.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant added a mammoth 209-run stand on the fourth wicket which put India in a commanding position.

Tendulkar, while analysing the duo’s partnership, highlighted the tactical conversation between them.

“I also noticed something interesting during Bashir’s spell. Shubman and Rishabh were speaking loudly in Hindi between deliveries. It was not just casual talk,’ he said on X (formerly Twitter).

“They were playing mind games with the bowler, trying to disrupt his rhythm. These minor details may not appear on the scoreboard, but they can have a significant impact on the game,” Tendulkar said of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.

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The little master heaped high praise on Rishab Pant for his batting while mentioning the southpaw’s trademark unconventional ‘falling sweep’.

“Rishabh’s falling paddle sweep is not accidental. It is intentional and extremely clever. Going down with the shot allows him to get under the ball and scoop it over leg slip with control,” Sachin Tendulkar wrote.

Rishabh Pant, who scored his seventh century in Test cricket, sometimes plays an unconventional ‘falling sweep’, a shot in which he often finds himself in an awkward condition.

Pant’s 136 off 178 balls, laced with a dozen boundaries and half a dozen maximums, featured the audacious ‘falling paddle sweep’ multiple times.

During his sublime century against England, Rishabh Pant broke multiple records.

The left-handed batter surpassed MS Dhoni, former Indian captain record of most Test centuries (6) as a wicketkeeper batter for India. Along with that, the 27-year-old now has 1,746 runs in SENA nations at an impressive average of 38.80 from 27 Tests, overtaking MS Dhoni.

Apart from this record, Rishabh Pant also became the first visiting wicketkeeper to score three centuries in England, while no other keeper has more than one hundred on English soil.

READ: Rishabh Pant breaks plethora of records with fiery ton against England

Rishabh Pant breaks plethora of records with fiery ton against England

LEEDS: India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has broken multiple records with a blazing century in the opening match of the five-match Test series against England.

With a century at the iconic Headingley, the left-handed batter surpassed MS Dhoni, former Indian captain record of most Test centuries (6) as a wicketkeeper batter for India.

Apart from this record, Rishabh Pant also became the first visiting wicketkeeper to score three centuries in England, while no other keeper has more than one hundred on English soil.

Rishab Pant’s 134-run knock featuring half a dozen sixes also took him past Rohit Sharma’s tally of most maximums in the ICC World Test Championship.

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Previously, Sharma had smashed 56 sixes in 40 matches while Rishab Pant has 58 maximums in just 35 matches. In addition to this, the southpaw further strengthened his record as the most prolific batter in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).

The 27-year-old now has 1,746 runs in SENA nations at an impressive average of 38.80 from 27 Tests, overtaking MS Dhoni.

Rishab Pant continued to showcase his dominance against England by scoring an impressive century, making 134 runs off 178 balls at a strike rate of 75.28, an innings peppered with six maximums and 12 boundaries.

With the left-hander’s valuable contribution, Team India propelled to a commanding first-innings total of 471 runs.

Notably, this century marked Pant’s fourth Test hundred against England, setting a new world record for the most Test centuries by a wicketkeeper against them.

He surpassed the previous joint record of three centuries held by Tom Latham, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy, and Brad Haddin.

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