On Thursday, Rishabh Pant added another new record to his name following his brilliant century versus South Africa in Cape Town during India’s second innings. With that top drawer knock, Rishabh Pant became the first-ever Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century on South African soil.
Before Pant’s century, the highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper in South Africa was 90, made by MS Dhoni in 2010. With that, the 24-year-old left-hander becomes the first Indian wicket-keeper to raise a Test century in England, Australia, and South Africa.
Pant came in to bat at a difficult time, at the score of 58/4, when India were reeling by the early losses of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket. He joined hands with skipper Virat Kohli in a 94-run stand. But, in that, as Kohli remained cautious outside his off-stump and went into his shell, Pant played his shots.
In the 94-run partnership with the skipper, Rishabh Pant scored 71 while 15 came from Kohli’s bat before the captain was dismissed. While the tailenders didn’t score many runs, they provided some resistance against the South African bowling as Pant trundled towards his century with South Africa putting fielders in the deep against the southpaw.
Notwithstanding the fragile situation India were in when he arrived at the crease, Pant didn’t shy away from unleashing his strokes. He started his knock with a pulled boundary against Kagiso Rabada before cutting the same bowler for another four.
Both Kohli and Pant ran hard between the wickets as well when hitting a boundary was challenging.
Pant attacked Ngidi and Olivier for a boundary each before he tore in left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, walloping the spinner for three maximums; Olivier was also thumped for a six over wide long-on.
Pant got two lives during his innings, both shelled chances – although both were difficult, you’d expect those to be taken at international level – by Maharaj and Bavuma.
The moment soon arrived when Pant reached his fourth Test ton – three of which are away from home – as he managed to drag India’s lead over 200 before the last man, Bumrah, was dismissed, leaving Pant unbeaten on 100.
India have given South Africa a target of 212 and the onus is now on the bowlers to take 10 wickets to register their maiden Test series win in South Africa.
