Rishabh Pant made a triumphant return to Test cricket, smashing a century in his first match since his near-fatal car accident on New Year’s Eve 2022. His commanding performance came during the ongoing Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, where Pant’s explosive batting and charismatic antics brought him back into the spotlight.
Rishabh Pant’s return to form was evident in both innings. In the first innings, he contributed a crucial 39 runs before losing his wicket due to some loose footwork.
However, in the second innings, he rectified those mistakes and unleashed a flurry of aggressive strokes, taking the Bangladesh bowlers to task. His knock of 109 off 128 deliveries was filled with powerful shots, including some trademark Pant aggression that left the opposition scrambling.
Eventually, he was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, caught and bowled for 109, but by then, India had already put themselves in a dominant position. Pant’s partnership with Shubman Gill proved pivotal, as the duo added 167 runs for the fourth wicket, helping India stretch their lead well beyond the 500-run mark.
Gill, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 119 off 176 balls, marking his fifth century in the format, as India declared their innings at 287/4. With a mammoth target of 515 set for Bangladesh, India looked to be cruising towards a victory.
Rishabh Pant’s On-Field Antics: A Flashback to MS Dhoni
While Pant’s century was the talking point, his behavior behind the stumps and on the field once again stole the limelight. Known for his witty chirps, banter, and constant chatter, Pant entertained fans with his antics, which were reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s memorable moment during the 2019 World Cup.
During his innings, Pant was heard cheekily advising Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto on how to set the field. While waiting at the non-striker’s end, Pant called out to Shanto, pointing out a gap on the on-side.
“Arey idhar aayega ek. Idhar kam fielder hai (Hey, put a fielder here. There aren’t enough fielders on this side),”
Pant was heard saying on the stump mic.
To everyone’s surprise, Shanto listened to Pant’s advice and repositioned his fielder as per the suggestion. The incident drew laughter from the commentators and fans alike, as Pant seemed to momentarily take over as Bangladesh’s de facto fielding captain. The video of the exchange quickly went viral, reminding many of MS Dhoni’s famous moment against the same team. Have a look at the viral video here:
Always in the captain’s ear, even when it’s the opposition’s! 😂👂
Never change, Rishabh Pant! 🫶🏻#INDvBAN #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/PgEr1DyhmE
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 21, 2024
Always in the captain’s ear, even when it’s the opposition’s! 😂👂
Never change, Rishabh Pant! 🫶🏻#INDvBAN #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/PgEr1DyhmE
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 21, 2024
Back in the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni had similarly directed Bangladesh’s Sabbir Rahman to adjust his fielding position, asking him to move the square-leg fielder more to the left. Just like Shanto, Sabbir had complied with Dhoni’s instructions during that game, creating a lasting memory for cricket fans. Pant’s recent antics drew immediate comparisons to that iconic moment, with many hailing it as a tribute to Dhoni’s legacy.
Following the declaration at 287/4, Bangladesh was left with an almost impossible target of 515 runs. Gill’s unbeaten century and Pant’s 109 ensured India had more than enough on the board to put pressure on the visitors. With the team in such a commanding position, it’s clear that Pant’s return to the Test arena has been nothing short of spectacular.
Rishabh’s return to Test cricket couldn’t have been scripted any better. His ability to turn games around with his aggressive batting, combined with his ever-entertaining presence behind the stumps, has once again made him a central figure in India’s setup.
As India edges closer to victory in the Test, Pant’s comeback story stands as one of perseverance, resilience, and a healthy dose of cheeky fun – a fitting tribute to the legacy of Indian cricket’s former captain, MS Dhoni.
