A comeback for the ages: Rishabh Pant equals MS Dhoni as he slams 6th Test ton

Is there a better way to announce your return to Test cricket than hitting a century in the first match you play after almost 2 years? The fans who witnessed Rishabh Pant scoring a breezy century in Chennai in the first India vs Bangladesh Test would answer the query with a firm ‘no’. Playing on Day 3 of the first red-ball clash of the series, Rishabh Pant displayed unusual patience to notch up his sixth Test ton. Rishabh Pant joined Shubman Gill at the crease at the start of Day 3. The previous day saw Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal walking out at abysmal scores. While India was in a dominant position, the onus to seal the match in their favour was on the shoulders of Gill and Pant. The duo, meanwhile, played their role perfectly as they scored their respective tons.

The return of Rishabh Pant in the India squad

The India vs Bangladesh match marked the return of Rishabh Pant to Test cricket after a hiatus that lasted 637 days. India’s primary wicket-keeping pick after the retirement of former skipper, MS Dhoni, Pant last played in whites in December 2022. Interestingly, Pant’s last assignment in the red-ball was also against Bangladesh when India toured the neighbouring nation in 2022. However, after the conclusion of that series, Pant, unfortunately, was involved in a horrific car accident. The player sustained serious injuries on his limbs and back, putting a shadow on his return to the sport. However, Pant made a speedy recovery as he joined Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, well within a couple of years of the incident.

The Delhi skipper accumulated 446 runs in 13 innings at the strike rate of 155.40, paving the way for his return to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. The edition witnessed India winning the T20 World Cup trophy after a long wait of 17 years. Followingly, Rishabh Pant assisted team India for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka in August as the team’s primary wicket-keeper. While Pant had already returned to the Indian white-ball setup, he joined the Duleep Trophy before being named in the India squad for the Bangladesh series. Playing in the format after almost 2 years, Pant scored 68 runs in the sole match that he played in the domestic series, with a half-century to his credit.

Rishabh Pant levels MS Dhoni as he hits his sixth Test ton in the India vs Bangladesh clash

However, India’s ‘spidy’ shined the brightest where it meant the most. The Indian batting order has put on a disappointing show for the most part in the first India vs Bangladesh Test. The first innings had all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin turning the saviours against the guests. However, it was the second innings  where both Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill came through, scoring their sixth and fifth Test ton respectively. Pant joined Gill on the pitch at the start of Day 3 after India lost Virat Kohli at the end of Day 2.

Coming to the crease in the 20th over of India’s second innings, Pant arrived at a crucial point in the game with India in a tricky situation following Virat Kohli's dismissal for 17. Both captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal had failed to put up significant runs, leading to a minor top-order collapse despite India's strong 227-run lead from the first innings. Pant, however, showed remarkable poise as he built an impactful partnership with Shubman Gill.

Playing on Day 3, Pant put up a surprising show for the Indian fans, Pant swerved away from his natural flamboyance. The wicket-keeper adopted a measured approach, opting for patience rather than his usual aggressive flair and tricky shots. In the initial stages, he displayed restraint, focusing on cementing India’s position without taking unnecessary risks. Loose balls were punished, but Pant prioritized his wicket, playing with an eye toward the team’s overall goal. His half-century came from 88 balls, slower than his typical innings, but it reflected the maturity he brought to his comeback.

With rain expected on Days 4 and 5, both Pant and Gill shifted gears after reaching their fifties, increasing the scoring rate to exploit Bangladesh energy and resolve. As the conditions for batting improved, Pant transitioned smoothly from a cautious approach to an attacking mindset. By the lunch interval, India had stretched their lead to a dominant 432 runs, with seven wickets in hand, leaving the visitors under significant pressure. Pant completed his century off 124 balls, marking a triumphant return to the longest format of the game.

With this century, Pant secured his sixth century in Test cricket, equaling the record held by former captain MS Dhoni for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. While Dhoni reached this milestone over 90 Tests in his illustrious career, Pant matched the feat in just his 34th Test appearance. His innings ultimately ended at 109, as he attempted to loft a delivery from Mehidy Hasan but mistimed the shot, resulting in a sharp caught-and-bowled by Hasan. Pant’s century nonetheless underscored his importance to the team and capped off a remarkable return to the Test arena.

Subsequently, Day 3 witnessed Shubman Gill reaching his fifth Test ton after a rusty start in the first innings. Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 119 when India declared the innings at the score of 287, inviting Bangladesh to a mammoth 515-run final chase. At stumps on Day 3, Bangladesh were playing on 158 at the loss of 4 wickets with Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on strike.