A Historic Test Match for Pant and India
Rishabh Pant etched his name into the history books with a stunning performance at Headingley, becoming only the second wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. He smashed 134 in the first innings and followed it up with 118 in the second, a feat previously achieved only by Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower (141 & 199* vs South Africa, 2001).
Rishabh Pant Sets New Benchmark for Indian Wicketkeepers
Pant’s aggregate of 252 runs across both innings is now the highest by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test, surpassing Budhi Kunderan’s 230 against England in 1964. His tally also ranks as the fourth-highest by a wicketkeeper overall, behind three legendary knocks by Andy Flower.
India’s Century Surge: Five Tons at Headingley
India recorded five centuries in the Headingley Test – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant in the first innings, followed by KL Rahul and Pant in the second. This marks the first instance of five centuries by Indian batters in a single Test, and only the sixth time in Test history that a team has achieved this milestone. Prior to this, only Australia had done so in an away Test, in Jamaica, 1955.
Pant Reigns in England Records
Pant now holds the record for:
- The most Test hundreds (4) by a wicketkeeper in England – tied with Alec Stewart and Matt Prior.
- The most hundreds by a visiting wicketkeeper in a single country.
- The joint-most sixes (9) in a Test match in England, equaling Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes.
KL Rahul’s Milestone and Partnership with Pant
KL Rahul also made headlines by scoring his third Test century in England, making him the most successful Indian opener in the country in terms of centuries. His steady partnership with Pant in the second innings pushed India into a dominant position.
Elite Company for Pant
With eight Test hundreds, Pant joins an elite group of wicketkeepers, trailing only Adam Gilchrist (17) and Andy Flower (12). England’s Les Ames also scored eight, placing Pant among the legends of the game.
India vs England at Headingley, June 2025, will be remembered not just for the centuries but for Rishabh Pant’s record-shattering brilliance that lifted India and redefined what wicketkeeper-batters can achieve on the grand stage.
