Rishabh Pant etched his name in the record books on Monday by becoming the first Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test match in England. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter reached this milestone during the ongoing first Test against England at Headingley in Leeds. Pant, who scored a brilliant 134 in the first innings, followed it up with a gritty yet explosive 118 in the second innings on Day 4. While attempting to accelerate the scoring rate, Pant eventually fell but not before putting India in a commanding position.

Pant’s celebration in the first innings, a playful somersault, caught the attention of fans and former players alike. Sunil Gavaskar, watching from the stands, urged him to repeat the celebration after his second hundred. However, Pant gestured that he would save it for later in the series.

Pant joins the elite club

With this feat, Pant joins an elite list of just seven Indian batters to have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match. He also became only the second wicketkeeper in the world, after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, to achieve twin tons in a Test. Flower had accomplished the feat against South Africa back in 2001.

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His second innings was a tale of two halves; initially cautious, especially before the Lunch break, before switching gears in the second session. Teaming up with KL Rahul, Pant stitched a crucial 195-run partnership, taking the attack to the English bowlers.

At Tea on Day 4, India stood tall at 298/4, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 120 and Karun Nair on 4. India had resumed the second session at 153/3, with Pant on 31* and Rahul on 72*.