Rishabh Pant breaks M.S.Dhoni's record for the fastest ever century by an Indian wicketkeeper

The historic fifth Test between India and England got off to a cracking start as pocket-dynamo wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant slammed a belligerent century on the first day of the Test match. This is, overall, his fifth century, and his second in England. The 24-year-old brought up his ton in just 89 balls. Pant has slammed 50+ scores in all of his last four Tests; in the ongoing Test in Edgbaston, Pant stabilised the Indian innings after a flurry of wickets during the opening two sessions. 

Pant smashed 19 fours and 4 sixes in his entertaining knock of 146 off just 111 deliveries at Edgbaston, as he reached the three-figure mark in the 58th over. Pant, who has been in tremendous form, has slammed 50+ scores in all of his last four Tests. India found itself in a spot of bother after a flurry of wickets fell during the opening two sessions.  

This is Pant’s third century against England, and with this innings, The southpaw broke the record for the fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper. The record was previously by former skipper MS Dhoni and the record stood for 17 years until today. Dhoni had reached the feat in 2005 during a Test against Pakistan when he reached the mark in 93 deliveries. 

The outstanding century by the youngster also broke another record as he became the first wicketkeeper batter to score two centuries on English soil.  

Earlier, the toss went in England skipper Ben Stoke’s favour, who opted to bowl against India at Edgbaston, hoping to capitalise on the overcast conditions that prevailed for the majority of the morning. Jasprit Bumrah is leading the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who was ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19.  

India started the innings on a shaky note as Shubman Gill (17), and makeshift opener Cheteshwar Pujara (13) departed cheaply. India was 53/2 when the rain stopped play in Birmingham, and following the resumption, they lost a couple more wickets as Hanuma Vihari (20) and Virat Kohli (11) were dismissed within a short span of time. Veteran James Anderson was at his usual best with the ball as he picked up 3 wickets.  

Rishabh Pant, in partnership with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja helped steady the Indian ship. Pant and Jadeja notched up an alliance of 222, which is India’s joint highest sixth-wicket partnership against England, equaling Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammed Azharuddin against South Africa at Cape Town in 1997. 

India is leading the five-Test series 2-1 and will take on the English team in a three-match T20I series and as many ODIs following the Edgbaston game.