Have you ever seen a cricketer turn the tide of a Test match and flip—literally—while celebrating? Well, Rishabh Pant just did that. The dynamic left-hander scripted history at Headingley by smashing his 7th Test century, becoming the most prolific century-maker among Indian wicketkeepers. And yes, he left behind the one and only MS Dhoni.
But the headlines didn’t stop at the milestone. His celebratory summersault, combined with Sunil Gavaskar’s cheeky comment, made the moment even more unforgettable.
Goodbye Dhoni’s Record, Hello Pant’s Era
Let’s not beat around the bush—Pant has officially entered legend territory. With 7 Test centuries, he now holds the crown as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test centuries, overtaking MS Dhoni’s six.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
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Rishabh Pant – 7 Test hundreds
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MS Dhoni – 6
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Wriddhiman Saha – 3
Not bad for a guy who was struggling just a few months ago, right?
The Wild Celebration and Gavaskar’s Witty One-Liner
When Pant completed his ton, he didn’t just raise his bat. Nope. He went full gymnast with a summersault! The crowd roared, the cameras flashed, and the commentary box cracked up.
That’s when Sunil Gavaskar, watching live, said with a grin:
“You might want to keep an ambulance nearby after that!”
Classic Sunny G. Always quick with the humor.
Pant the Power-Hitter: Six Machine in WTC
While Pant was busy rewriting record books, he quietly snatched another title: India’s top six-hitter in World Test Championship history, edging past Rohit Sharma.
✅ 58 sixes in WTC
✅ More than Rohit, despite playing six fewer matches
✅ Only Ben Stokes (83) has more globally
Who knew a guy once doubted for “reckless hitting” would go on to dominate Test cricket with sheer aggression?
From IPL Flop to Test Hero: What a Comeback!
Let’s rewind a bit.
In IPL 2025, Pant had a rough ride with Lucknow Super Giants. Barring one majestic century against RCB, his season was forgettable.
Fast forward to this Test match—he’s back with a vengeance. It’s like he switched formats and flipped the script.
Sometimes, Test cricket really is the stage where redemption plays out in the grandest way.
India’s Big Three: Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant Light Up Day 1
Before Pant took center stage, Yashasvi Jaiswal and new captain Shubman Gill gave India a dream start:
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Jaiswal scored a stylish 101 off 159 balls
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Gill anchored the innings with a classy 127 off 175 balls*
Together, they powered India to 359/3 at stumps on Day 1, the highest-ever first-day Test total on English soil for India. Pant’s 65* sealed the dominance as the icing on the cake.
3,000 Test Runs and More: Pant Joins Elite Company
During his innings, Pant also joined another elite club—he crossed 3,000 runs in Test cricket, becoming only the second Indian wicketkeeper after Dhoni to achieve that feat.
Even more impressive? He did it mostly outside India, becoming Asia’s most successful wicketkeeper in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia).
Let’s be honest—those are some of the toughest places to bat. And Pant thrives there.
The Pant Approach: Controlled Madness, Calculated Mayhem
What makes Pant special? It’s the way he plays with fire—yet never gets burnt.
He walked in when India was already cruising, and instead of slowing things down, he pressed the accelerator. His innings? A mix of finesse and fury:
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6 boundaries
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2 monstrous sixes
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102 balls of controlled carnage
He even welcomed Ben Stokes with a four on just the second ball he faced from him. Talk about making a statement!
Pant vs Dhoni: A Modern-Day Takeover
We get it—comparing Pant to Dhoni is a tall ask. But let’s look at the numbers, shall we?
| Player | Test Centuries | Test Runs | Overseas Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pant | 7 | 3000+ | Exceptional in SENA |
| MS Dhoni | 6 | 4876 | Good, but more India-heavy |
| Saha | 3 | 1353 | Decent support role |
It’s no longer a contest of “potential.” Pant has arrived, and he’s shaping up to be a once-in-a-generation player.
England Rattled: Can They Find Answers?
By the end of Day 2, India was firmly in control, and England’s bowlers were left scratching their heads. From pace to spin, nothing seemed to work against India’s top order.
If Pant bats again, England might want to consider changing their bowling plans—or simply bring a stretcher, as Gavaskar joked.
Pant’s Journey is Just Getting Started
With the WTC final coming up and more overseas tours on the horizon, Pant is peaking at the perfect time.
What lies ahead?
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Breaking into the top 10 all-time Indian Test scorers?
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10 Test hundreds by next year?
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Captaining India in red-ball cricket someday?
Don’t rule anything out. Pant plays the game like no one else. He’s unpredictable, entertaining, and absolutely unstoppable on his day.
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Conclusion
From acrobatic celebrations to monumental milestones, Rishabh Pant has once again shown that cricket isn’t just about runs—it’s about moments.
He’s taken the baton from MS Dhoni, rewritten the stats, and redefined what it means to be a modern wicketkeeper-batsman. And guess what? This might just be the beginning of something truly legendary.
So next time you see Pant walk out to bat, don’t blink—you might miss a six… or a summersault.
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