Bengaluru
Rishabh Pant made history on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to score 2,500 Test runs. He achieved this milestone in just 62 innings, surpassing the previous record held by MS Dhoni, who reached the mark in 69 innings. Farokh Engineer had previously held the record with 82 innings.
Pant’s achievement came as India fought back, reaching 344/3 before rain forced an early lunch, putting them just 12 runs behind New Zealand’s first-innings total of 469. His aggressive innings of 53 off 56 balls was pivotal, alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Test century.
Despite nursing a knee injury from Day 3, Pant showcased his aggressive style, launching a counter-attack with two sixes off Ajaz Patel and elegantly driving the ball. He brought up his 12th Test fifty with a stunning cover drive off Glenn Phillips, contributing to a crucial 113-run partnership with Sarfaraz in 22 overs. Since his debut in 2018, the 26-year-old has established himself as a cornerstone of India’s Test lineup, delivering match-winning performances in challenging overseas conditions.
