GUWAHATI: Rishabh Pant scripted history as he became the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach 2,500 runs in Test cricket during Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand. Pant achieved this milestone in just 62 innings, surpassing MS Dhoni, who previously held the record at 69 innings, and Farokh Engineer, who reached it in 82 innings.
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The wicketkeeper-batter plays a crucial role as India continues its strong comeback on Day 4, reaching 344/3 at lunch, trailing New Zealand by just 12 runs. Pant’s blistering knock of 53 off 56 balls helped stabilising India after an early wicket, combining with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Test century.
Additionally, Pant leads the list of wicketkeepers with the most sixes in the World Test Championship, hitting 46 sixes in 47 innings for India. Quinton de Kock from South Africa follows with 14 sixes in 23 innings, while Mohammad Rizwan from Pakistan hits 13 sixes in 51 innings, and Jos Buttler of England scores 11 sixes.
Resuming the day at 231/3, India, still 125 runs behind, looks to Pant and Sarfaraz to guide them closer to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 469. Despite missing Day 3 due to a knee injury suffered while keeping, Pant shows no signs of discomfort at the crease.
Pant reached his 12th Test fifty off just 55 balls with a sumptuous cover drive off Glenn Phillips, further showcasing his aggressive yet calculated approach. His partnership with Sarfaraz, worth 113 runs in just 22 overs, was pivotal in India’s quest to overhaul New Zealand’s total. Sarfaraz, playing in only his fifth Test, shone with a sublime century, but Pant’s steady presence at the other end is equally vital.
India’s recovery in the match is well on track as rain interrupts play just after 11:00 am, forcing an early lunch.
