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Rishabh Pant Surpasses MS Dhoni For Massive Feat In Test Cricket

Anurag Dasgupta

Pant in action Vs NZ [Source: PTI] Pant in action Vs NZ [Source: PTI]

Rishabh Pant in Test cricket is a different gravy and he proved it once again during the India Vs New Zealand, Day 2 of the third Test match at the Wankhede Stadium. He came out to bat in a tricky situation, but steered India out as the pressure was put back on the Kiwis.

When he came out to bat, India had already lost 4 wickets, including the prized one of Virat Kohli. However, Pant, alongside Shubman Gill took care of the matters as they forged a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket and the pressure was back on the New Zealand side.

Interestingly, he was aggressive right from the start and took a special liking towards the Kiwi spinners, particularly, Ajaz Patel. The explosive southpaw slammed a 36-ball fifty and looked all set for a big score before Ish Sodhi struck.

The leg-break bowler did the damage before lunch and dismissed Pant for a well-compiled 60. Despite missing out on a deserving hundred, Pant attained a stellar milestone and surpassed his idol, MS Dhoni in a huge Test feat. This was Pant's 5th fifty-plus score in Tests at a strike-rate of more than 100.

His idol MS Dhoni had 4 fifty-plus score with a strike-rate in excess of 100, which showcases Pant's evolution in the game's longest format.

India's momentum derailed

With Gill and Pant firing all guns blazing, India had the momentum with them. However, Pant's wicket changed the complexion as India lost Ravindra Jadeja after the lunch break.

The all-rounder tried defending a Glenn Phillips delivery and the outside-edge was taken at slips. India still trail the Kiwis and despite a long tail still to come, the visitors will be feeling confident of knocking over India for a low score.

Batting won't be easy in the fourth innings as the pitch will assist the spinners, and hence India need Gill to carry on and help India post a decent total.