Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lauded Rishabh Pant&rsquo;s audacious century in the opening Test against England, praising the wicketkeeper-batter&rsquo;s bold style and consistency at the No. 5 spot.
Pant, India&rsquo;s vice-captain, smashed his seventh Test hundred&mdash;and third in England&mdash;surpassing MS Dhoni&rsquo;s record for most Test tons by an Indian wicketkeeper.
"He's outrageous. He plays on his own terms. At times, he goes by the numbers, and other times he just follows instinct. That&rsquo;s Pant. Since moving to No. 5, he&rsquo;s been extremely consistent," Shastri said in a video shared by the BCCI.
Pant's 134-run knock featured a 209-run stand with skipper Shubman Gill (147), making it a pivotal moment in India&rsquo;s 471-run first innings.
Shastri highlighted Pant&rsquo;s ability to change the course of a match, whether coming in during a collapse or building on a strong platform. "He sends a message. Second ball down the ground&mdash;that's pure intent,&rdquo; said Shastri, also referencing Pant&rsquo;s inspiring comeback after his car accident.
Former India keeper Dinesh Karthik echoed the admiration: "Pant is box-office Test cricket. He&rsquo;s unpredictable, fearless, and joyful to watch. On any day, he can take on any bowler if he feels it&rsquo;s right. That instinct makes him special.&rdquo;
Pant's return to form has not only thrilled fans but also solidified his position as a game-changer in red-ball cricket.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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Pant Plays on His Own Terms, Says Shastri

Ravi Shastri and Dinesh Karthik hail Rishabh Pant’s fearless century at No. 5 against England

Pant Plays on His Own Terms, Says Shastri

Ravi Shastri and Dinesh Karthik hail Rishabh Pant’s fearless century at No. 5 against England

June 22, 2025 | 15:44 IST