Rishabh Pant Equals Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Record with a Scintillating Hundred on Test Return

Rishabh Pant smashed his sixth hundred to equal Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the Indian wicket-keeper with most centuries during day three of the first Test of the two-match series between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. Pant reached the three-figure mark in 124 deliveries on his return to Test cricket after a gap of 629 days since his tragic car accident.

India vs Bangladesh: 1st Test, Day 3 – Live Score

Pant also became the fastest to reach six hundreds for India as a wicket-keeper as he managed the landmark in 58 innings as compared to MS Dhoni’s 144.

Most Test 100s by a designated Wicket-keeper for India

Pant was dropped on 72 by Najmul Hossain Shanto off Shakib Al Hasan as India added 124 runs in the first session.

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Pant, resuming from 12, along with Gill, beginning the day from 33, exploited the inability of Bangladesh bowlers to make the best out of a cool, damp morning with sensible shot-making.

The Indian pair took on Bangladesh bowlers in their own inimitable ways. Minimalism is quintessential to Gill’s batting as he plays shots with little flourish.

The short-arm pull from in front of the face or that zero follow-through punch through the covers, which he often executed off Nahid Rana and Mahmud Hasan, might not be out of the batting manual but productive nonetheless.

Gill took another solid step forward in his growing familiarity with Test cricket here, bringing up an individual fifty off 79 balls, and is looking good for more. He too reached his hundred.

Pant was dismissed cheaply in the first innings and was sent back soon after reaching his hundred by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 109 runs off 128) balls.

The left-hander started rather sedately, perhaps wanted to get his eye in before opening up. The breakaway moment came when he pulled off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a four around the first drinks break of the day.

Since that point, Pant’s dismantling of Miraz became a feature of the innings as he brought up his fifty off 88 balls. Once that fifty was achieved, the 26-year-old unfurled some of those typical Pant shots.

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Pant moved around the crease like a trapeze artist, and his scooped six over fine leg off Mahmud enthralled a sizeable weekend crowd here.

(With inputs from Agencies)