Rishabh Pant’s unpredictability was on full display as England skipper Ben Stokes experienced it up close on Day 1 of the first Test between India and England at Leeds on Friday.
New Delhi: Ben Stokes finds a way to get things done. Immediately after KL Rahul have been dismissed to snap a devastating 91-run partnership, Stokes dismissed debutant Sai Sudharsan off a leg-side trap. When Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill appeared to be stealing the game off England, he bowled a ball of his life to remove Jaiswal just after a hundred. However, even such game-changer as Stokes has a real competitor, and it is Rishabh Pant.
After Jaiswal was dismissed after his brilliant 101, the new vice-captain Rishabh Pant came in and India were in a commanding position at 221 for 3. But dark clouds were looming on the horizon and the loss of concentration by one could turn the tide of the game, as Stokes was bowling a blistering spell. Pant started in a safe manner, seemingly defending the first ball with a straight bat- then, in classic fashion he started on the very next ball and danced down the ground and sent Stokes miles over his head and to the boundary.
That’s one way to start your English summer… 😉#ENGvIND #TeamIndia | @RishabhPant17 #RishabhPant#BenStokespic.twitter.com/82e9XsM2Y9
— Pankaj Mishra 🇮🇳 (@pankajplmishra) June 20, 2025
No fast bowler likes to be charged and hit over his head, but in his usual unconventional way Ben Stokes did not get even the faintest hint of irritation. instead he burst into loud laughter, more like one who was grateful that the shot had been so audacious as to be a challenge.
Even the England captain walked a few steps next to Pant and had a light-hearted conversation which is indicative of mutual respect. Stokes has been a big fan of Pant and his fearless style and even said back then that Pant brings the Bazball spirit to the Indian side.
With another probing spell against Pant, Stokes continued to work hard but the latter played extremely well not to fall into any of the traps. England captain varied his pace and length wisely, keeping Pant on toes. He bowled a couple of short sharp bouncers and tossed a trap slower delivery to deceive Pant into a leg-before wicket chance, albeit failed to capture him-but the Indian vice-captain stood up to the challenge to survive.
The calm and controlled batting of Pant sealed off any chances that England held of getting back into the game and India held the game well. In the meantime, captain Shubman Gill was splendid in a smooth-running century, the fourth Indian leader ever-Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli-to achieve the centrury in his first leadership role in Tests. It became the sixth century in Tests in general and the first in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country by Gill.
Gill and Pant raised their century stand as India went over 300 and Pant edged towards a half-century.
In the foundation was a good opening strike by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. India lost Rahul (42) followed by debutant Sai Sudharsan (0) in no particular order but the 129 run third wicket stand between Gill and Jaiswal truly placed India on a front foot.
Yashasvi Jaiswal made a perfect century in his very first Test in England and his class was on display as he was so smooth in his shots. It finally came to end in a stroke of genius-an enchanting delivery by Ben Stokes.