Rishabh Pant keeps setting records and winning fans, recently showing his skill with the bat even while injured. On Thursday, during the second day of the Manchester Test against England, the wicket-keeper matched Virender Sehwag’s record for the most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket. Both players now have 90 sixes in this format.
Pant, known for his aggressive style, is now tied with Sehwag. Indian captain Rohit Sharma is close behind with 88 sixes, followed by MS Dhoni with 78, and Ravindra Jadeja with 74.
In addition, Pant passed Rohit Sharma to become India’s top run-scorer in the World Test Championship(WTC) era. The left-handed batter has scored 2731 runs in just 38 Test matches, including six centuries and sixteen fifties. Rohit, has 2719 WTC runs.
Despite Pant’s efforts, India ended the day in a difficult position as England played aggressively. England stood at 225 for two at the end of the day, after dismissing India for 358. Openers Ben Duckett (94 runs off 100 balls) and Zak Crawley (84 runs off 113 balls) led England’s strong response with a quick 166-run partnership. England trailed India by 133 runs in their first innings at the end of the day. Ollie Pope (20) and Joe Root (11) were at the crease.
Pant’s performance is special because he returned to bat on Thursday despite a painful toe injury from Day 1, still making a solid impact.
With his fifty in Manchester, Pant now has 14 scores over fifty, while Dhoni has thirteen. The left-handed batter has six centuries and eight fifties. Pant hit 54 off 75 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes.
The BCCI had stated that Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets for the rest of the Manchester Test because of his toe injury, but he can bat if needed.
Team India faced a problem on Day 1 when Pant had to leave the field after being hit on the right foot by a yorker from England’s Chris Woakes. He was in obvious pain and could not continue batting, raising concerns about his participation in the match.