Rishabh Pant has at all times been a cricketer who brings aptitude to the large stage, however at Headingley on June 23, 2025, he delivered a efficiency for the ages. India’s vice-captain etched his identify into the historical past books by scoring centuries in each innings of the Check towards England, becoming a member of an elite membership that features solely Andy Flower amongst wicketkeepers.
Sunil Gavaskar’s playful demand from Rishabh Pant after the second century at Headingley
Whereas followers and teammates celebrated Pant’s record-breaking feat, legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar had a playful request from the commentary field: he wished Pant to reprise his now-iconic somersault celebration.
As Pant raised his bat after a masterful 130-ball hundred within the second innings, Headingley erupted in applause. However amidst the ovation, Gavaskar’s animated gestures from the commentary field stole the highlight. The India legend, ever the cricket romantic, signaled for Pant to carry out the entrance flip celebration he had showcased after his first-innings century. The somersault, which has turn out to be a signature transfer for Pant, symbolizes his exuberant model and fearless strategy to the sport.
Pant, nonetheless, determined to maintain followers guessing. As a substitute of the flip, he responded with the cheeky “finger-eye” celebration, a nod to footballer Dele Alli, suggesting that he was saving his acrobatics for one more event. Gavaskar’s light-hearted demand and Pant’s playful response underscored the camaraderie and mutual admiration that defines Indian cricket’s current and previous. It was a second that delighted followers and showcased the lighter aspect of high-pressure Check cricket.
Right here’s the video:
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭-𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡! 🙌🏻
Take a bow, @RishabhPant17, good can be an understatement! 🫡🔥#ENGvIND 1st Check Day 4 LIVE NOW Streaming on JioHotstar 👉… pic.twitter.com/4A1Poe5jbC
— Star Sports activities (@StarSportsIndia) June 23, 2025
Additionally READ: Fans erupt in joy as Rishabh Pant scripts history in Headingley with destructive hundred on Day 4 of ENG vs IND first Test
Pant’s twin centuries and India’s dominating lead over England on Day 4
Pant’s twin centuries weren’t simply private milestones—they had been pivotal in swinging the match decisively in India’s favour. His first-innings 134 was adopted by a fluent 118 within the second, making him the primary Indian wicketkeeper to notch eight Check tons of and solely the second in historical past to attain centuries in each innings of a Check. His aggressive strokeplay, mixed with composure below strain, blunted England’s assault and shifted the momentum firmly in the direction of India.
KL Rahul, too, performed a vital function, crafting a classy century of his personal and sharing a 195-run partnership with Pant that put India in a dominant place earlier than getting out on Shoaib Bashir. By the top of the second session on Day 4, India had stretched their result in 304 runs, with Rahul unbeaten on 120. The Headingley pitch, which had supplied early motion, flattened out because the day progressed, permitting India’s batters to pile on the runs. With the very best profitable chase at this floor being 404, India’s imposing lead left England with a mountain to climb because the Check entered its ultimate section.
Additionally READ: Fans go gaga as KL Rahul smashes a sensational century on Day 4 of the ENG vs IND Headingley Test
