Rishabh Pant has carved his name into the history books, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a century in both innings of a Test match. The wicketkeeper-batter delivered a masterclass in the Leeds Test against England, putting India in a commanding position on Day 4, as KL Rahul also brought up a superb hundred.
After his 134-run knock in the first innings, Pant brought up his second century of the match in style, taking just 130 balls to get there. His knock featured 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing his trademark flair combined with a matured approach. As he raised his bat to celebrate, the Indian dressing room stood to applaud, while the Leeds crowd erupted in admiration.
The 27-year-old, who was recently named Team India’s vice-captain, showed impressive composure early in his innings. After a few early risks, Pant settled into a more watchful rhythm before lunch, respecting the conditions. Post-lunch, however, he launched an aggressive counter-attack, putting the English bowlers on the back foot with calculated strokeplay.
With this achievement, Pant also became:
- The first Indian to score centuries in both innings of a Test match in England
- Only the second designated wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this feat in Test cricket, after Andy Flower (142 & 199* vs South Africa, Harare 2001)
✅ Wicketkeeper-batters with centuries in both innings of a Test:
- Andy Flower – 142 & 199* vs South Africa (Harare, 2001)
- Rishabh Pant – 134 & 100* vs England (Headingley, 2025)
✅ Indians with centuries in both innings of a Test:
- Vijay Hazare
- Sunil Gavaskar (3 times)
- Rahul Dravid (2 times)
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Rohit Sharma
- Rishabh Pant
During his knock, Pant also revealed a more vulnerable moment when he nearly mistimed a scoop shot. Visibly frustrated, he was seen talking to himself, reminding himself to stay patient. KL Rahul, his batting partner, played a key role in keeping Pant grounded, urging him to read the ball carefully before attacking.
At 98, Pant slowed down, absorbing the moment with calmness. Though he skipped his usual somersault celebration, the milestone was met with rousing cheers from the stadium.
With Pant and Rahul firing, India’s lead surged past 250 runs, placing them firmly in the driver’s seat on a pitch that still offered good batting conditions. The visitors are now likely to set a massive target, aiming to secure a vital win in the five-match Test series.