ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Knocks Of Rishabh Pant

It is not wrong to say that Rishabh Pant rose to fame in his Test career in 2021. Pant was not the primary choice of wicket-keeper for India in the Test format earlier. However, during India’s last two-Test series in ICC World Test Championship, Pant showed that he is a fearless batsman who can be a promising wicket-keeper batsman in Tests. India will lock horns with New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final in England next month.

During the ICC World Test Championship, Pant was part of 11 matches out of 17 that India played. He scored 662 runs in 18 innings during the tournament at an average of 41+.

He hit 4 half-centuries and 1 century during the tournament. However, a few of Rishabh Pant’s knocks were unforgettable ones that invited a round of applause from every Indian cricket fan. Here we look at the 3 most memorable knocks of Rishabh Pant during ICC World Test Championship.

ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Knocks Of Rishabh Pant

97-run knock (India vs Australia, 3rd Test, 2021)

Rishabh Pant played a crucial knock that helped India to evade a loss in the 3rd Test against Australia in January this year. Australia smashed 338-10 runs in the 1st innings with a century by Steve Smith (131). India responded with 244-10 with the fifties by Shubman Gill (50) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50).

Australia declared 2nd innings at 312-6, putting a target of 407 runs for India in the 2nd innings. India lost 2 wickets for 98 runs at the end of Day 4. India needed to score 309 more runs on the 5th day while Australia needed to dismiss 8 wickets to claim victory.

With the home advantage, Australia were expected to pull off the victory. However, Rishabh Pant scored 97 runs off 118 balls and sent Australia on the backfoot. He lost his wicket lately but India managed to evade a loss, losing only 3 wickets on Day 5 and finishing with 334/5 on the scoreboard in the end. The match ended in a draw as Australia managed to pick only 3 wickets out of the 8.

While other players like Cheteshwar Pujara (77 off 205 balls), Hanuma Vihari (23 off 161 balls), and Ravichandran Ashwin (39 off 128 balls) batted patiently, Pant smashed 12 fours and 3 sixes during his knock with an attitude to chasing the target rather than aiming for a draw. Pant’s fearless batting put pressure on Australia which was thrilling to watch.

101 run-knock (India vs England, 4th Test, 2021)

It was a memorable moment for Rishabh Pant to reach his first Test century. With a 2-1 lead in the series against England after three games, England could have tied the series if they won the 4th Test. England put up 205-10 on the scoreboard while batting first, with Ben Stokes emerging as the top run-scorer with 55.

For India, Rishabh Pant smashed a 101 runs knock after arriving to crease at the score of 80-4. Rishabh Pant’s century (101) helped India to get a good lead of 160 over England. India were bowled out for 365. In the 2nd innings, India bowled out England for 135 with 5-wicket hauls by spinner Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. India won the match by an innings and 25 runs. Pant was awarded player of the match for his maiden Test century.

Unbeaten 89-Run Knock (India vs Australia 4th Test, 2021)

This can be termed as Rishabh Pant’s most memorable knock in the Tests so far. After completion of 3 Tests, India and Australia managed to win 1-1 match each. The result of the series depended on the 4th Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. Australia hadn’t lost any Test match at The Gabba since 1988 and they were quite confident.

Australia were bowled out for 369 in the 1st innings with a century from Marnus Labuschagne (108) and fifty from skipper Tim Paine (50). In response, India scored 336 runs with the fifties by tailenders Washinton Sundar (62) and Shardul Thakur (67).

With a 33-run lead after 1st innings, Australia were bowled out for 294 in the 2nd innings. Steve Smith managed to hit a fifty (55) which was the highest individual score. Mohammed Siraj picked 5 wickets while Shardul Thakur scalped 4.

India had a target of 328 runs and Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) played notable knocks at the top. Pant arrived at the crease when India were railing at 167-3. He scored unbeaten 89 runs to get the winnings runs for India. India won the match by 3 wickets and Rishabh became the star of the match.

With the victory, India also defeated Australia 2-1 in the series on their home soil. India also became a major contender for the ICC WTC final after winning the series against Australia. Rishabh Pant was awarded player of the match for his outstanding batting.