Watch: McCullum Praises Rishabh Pant, Gautam Gambhir Reacts To Front Flips
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BCCI's behind-the-scenes footage of Rishabh Pant's day out in Headingley showed him getting praised by opposition head coach Brendon McCullum and applauded by Gautam Gambhir.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes footage of Rishabh Pant's day out on Saturday (June 22) during the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley, Leeds, which includes the reaction from the dressing room to his front flips in the middle.
The video began with Pant walking out for his knock before the day. He had not out at 65 at the end of the opening clash. Pant greeted a few people before meeting England head coach Brendon McCullum, who was standing near the pitch alongside pundit Michael Atherton.
McCullum gave him a 'Well played' before he began his practice. On his way back to the pavilion to pad up, Pant also met England legend Alastair Cook, who was also all praise. The camera then showed Gautam Gambhir and his staff in the dressing room and Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and other players in the pavilion reacting to his century and the acrobatic front flips with smiles, applause and some hooting.
Watch the video here:
????????????. ????????????????????????????????????. ???????????????????????????? #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/ei1JVmpWV5 — BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2025
Pant got out for 134 (178), an innings that included 12 fours and six maximums, the most by a visiting wicketkeeper batter in an innings England. He became the first wicketkeeper-batter in the world to score three Test centuries against England in England, while also surpassing MS Dhoni for the most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket.
His knock played a big part in India finishing the innings with a good 471/10. In reply, England scored 209/3 with number three batter Ollie Pope unbeaten at 100 (131).
'Rishabh Pant is someone who makes his own plans," India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said about the wicketkeeper after the end of the day's play. 'He decides (the way) and (then) he bats. This innings was a little different than you would see him normally but honestly that is all his plans. The way he wanted to approach it and when he wanted to attack, he did (and just) because he plays aggressive (cricket) does not mean he cannot play defensive," Kotak added.
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