Pant piles on agony for England with record-breaking century
Rishabh Pant became the first India batsman to score hundreds in both innings of a Test against England as the tourists strengthened their grip on the series opener at Headingley on Monday.
The swashbuckling wicketkeeper, who made 134 in the first innings, completed a 130-ball century, including 13 fours and two sixes on the fourth afternoon.
He was out for 118, caught by Zak Crawley off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir.
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.
India, however, were 298-4 at tea -- a lead of 304 runs -- with opener Rahul 120 not out.
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 captain Shubman Gill was the only batsman dismissed, Rahul and Pant upped the tempo in their contrasting styles.
Right-hander Rahul hit off-spinner Bashir for a textbook cover-drive four, while left-hander Pant nicked Josh Tongue through the vacant second slip position before thrashing him through the covers.
Pant completed an 83-ball fifty before driving Bashir for two soaring sixes in three balls.
He had made 75 when he hammered a Bashir delivery to short cover where diving England captain Ben Stokes did well to get a hand to the ball as he tried to complete what would have been a sensational catch.
An England attack missing express quicks Mark Wood and Jofra Archer was largely powerless to stop the run spree as Rahul and Pant took advantage of the old ball on a good batting pitch.
- Rahul ton -
Rahul completed a 202-ball century featuring 13 fours with a trademark cover-drive -- his ninth century in 59 Tests.
Pant, severely injured in a life-threatening car crash in December 2022, was stuck in the 90s before a quick single took him to a 130-ball century featuring 13 fours and two sixes.
India great Sunil Gavaskar, watching from the stands, encouraged Pant to mark this century with the familiar somersault with which he had marked his first-innings hundred, but this time Pant celebrated in more conventional style.
India are strongly placed in the game, with the outstanding Jasprit Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, leading their attack.
But England chased down 378 -- their record successful chase -- against a Bumrah-led India attack at Edgbaston three years ago.
And the tourists will now want to avoid a repeat of what happened in their first innings at Headingley.
Hundreds from Gill, Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal put them on course for a total well in excess of 500, but they were dismissed for 471 after losing their last seven wickets for just 41 runs.
England mustered 465 in reply, with Ollie Pope making 106 and Harry Brook scoring 99.
By Julian Guyer
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Frans Steyn or Handre Pollard? You decide, Springboks fans!
Handre Pollard and Frans Steyn have both slotted sublime Rugby World Cup kicks for the Springboks against England. Who did it better, though? Steyn's nerveless kick from distance in the 2007 final put the contest to bed against England. 16 years later, Pollard stuck the knife into England again, this time in the semis. Springboks points machine: Where is Percy Montgomery now? Nelson Mandela, Springbok fan and style guru So, what do Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they've both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard's nerveless penalty in the semi-final against England in 2023 sent the Boks to the final. The rest, as they say, is history. SPRINGBOKS: Kolisi and his daughter share a beautiful moment Springbok star Handre Pollard. Image: David Ramos/World Rugby What do Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they've both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard said the nerveless penalty in last year's semi-final was the best strike of his career. ICYMI: Inspirational comeback story GOLDEN OLDIES: Meet the four RWC winners born in the 80s Who did it better, though? Can these kicks even be compared, given the different contexts and nuances involved? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
Pant piles on agony for England with record-breaking century
Rishabh Pant became the first India batsman to score hundreds in both innings of a Test against England as the tourists strengthened their grip on the series opener at Headingley on Monday. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper, who made 134 in the first innings, completed a 130-ball century, including 13 fours and two sixes on the fourth afternoon. He was out for 118, caught by Zak Crawley off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir. 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. India, however, were 298-4 at tea -- a lead of 304 runs -- with opener Rahul 120 not out. 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 captain Shubman Gill was the only batsman dismissed, Rahul and Pant upped the tempo in their contrasting styles. Right-hander Rahul hit off-spinner Bashir for a textbook cover-drive four, while left-hander Pant nicked Josh Tongue through the vacant second slip position before thrashing him through the covers. Pant completed an 83-ball fifty before driving Bashir for two soaring sixes in three balls. He had made 75 when he hammered a Bashir delivery to short cover where diving England captain Ben Stokes did well to get a hand to the ball as he tried to complete what would have been a sensational catch. An England attack missing express quicks Mark Wood and Jofra Archer was largely powerless to stop the run spree as Rahul and Pant took advantage of the old ball on a good batting pitch. - Rahul ton - Rahul completed a 202-ball century featuring 13 fours with a trademark cover-drive -- his ninth century in 59 Tests. Pant, severely injured in a life-threatening car crash in December 2022, was stuck in the 90s before a quick single took him to a 130-ball century featuring 13 fours and two sixes. India great Sunil Gavaskar, watching from the stands, encouraged Pant to mark this century with the familiar somersault with which he had marked his first-innings hundred, but this time Pant celebrated in more conventional style. India are strongly placed in the game, with the outstanding Jasprit Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, leading their attack. But England chased down 378 -- their record successful chase -- against a Bumrah-led India attack at Edgbaston three years ago. And the tourists will now want to avoid a repeat of what happened in their first innings at Headingley. Hundreds from Gill, Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal put them on course for a total well in excess of 500, but they were dismissed for 471 after losing their last seven wickets for just 41 runs. England mustered 465 in reply, with Ollie Pope making 106 and Harry Brook scoring 99. By Julian Guyer
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
India still on top in first Test despite Brook 50for England
Local hero Harry Brook defied India's attack with a quickfire fifty but wickets at the other end kept the tourists on top in the first Test at Headingley on Sunday. England were 327-5 at lunch on the third day, still 144 runs behind India's first-innings 471, which featured hundreds from captain Shubman Gil, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But Brook, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball when on nought in Saturday's last over and dropped Sunday by wicketkeeper Pant on 46, was still there on 57 not out. Jamie Smith (29 not out) had so far helped Brook add 51 in 12 overs for the sixth wicket. Brook's innings was the more important following the loss early Sunday of England century-maker Ollie Pope. England resumed on 209-3, 262 runs behind, after Pope had rescued them from the depths of 4-1 with a superb 100 not out after being dropped on 60. Brook got off the mark on his Yorkshire home ground by thrashing the fifth delivery of Sunday's play, from Prasidh Krishna, for four and next ball pulled the paceman for a soaring six. But Krishna then became the first member of India's attack other than outstanding fast bowler Bumrah to take a wicket this match, albeit with a loose delivery. England vice-captain Pope had added just six runs to his score when he tried to cut a short and wide ball from outside off stump only to get a thin edge to Pant. Pope's exit brought in England captain Ben Stokes, whose decision to field first after winning the toss in good batting conditions was criticised by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan. Brook, meanwhile, treated Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in the world, with disdain when he advanced down the pitch and him through the covers for four. He then dished out similar treatment to Mohammed Siraj. But from around the wicket, fast bowler Siraj induced left-handed batsman Stokes, on 20, into pushing outside off stump at a ball that moved away slightly, with Pant holding a simple catch. Stokes, without a Test century for two years, threw his bat in the air in frustration as he walked off with England 276-5. One danger for Brook wast that he would run out of partners and Shardul Thakur had Smith (nine) given out lbw only for the batsman's review to indicate the ball would have missed leg stump. AFP | Darren Staples But Brook should have been out on 46 when he pushed forward defensively to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja only for Pant to drop the thin edge. It was not long before Brook completed a 65-ball fifty, including seven fours and a six -- the 26-year-old's 12th half century in a 26-Test career that also includes eight hundreds.
