IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant equals Don Bradman, becomes first India player to Prestigious Record

Add as a preferred source on Google

Rishabh Pant's red-hot form in England continued at Headingley, where the Indian wicketkeeper-batter carved yet another crucial half-century in the second innings of the first Test.

The innings not only underlined his growing mastery in challenging English conditions but also elevated him into elite statistical company. This was Pant's fifth consecutive score of fifty or more in England-an achievement that places him alongside a select group of visiting greats.

The left-hander, who had already lit up the first innings with a sublime 134, returned with a composed and assertive knock in the second innings. His fifty was laced with audacious strokes, including his signature falling paddle sweep and several authoritative on-drives that kept the English bowlers on the defensive. The knock played a pivotal role in extending India's lead and consolidating their grip on the match.

Rishabh Pant equals Don Bradman

With this performance, Pant has became only the sixth visiting batter to record five consecutive 50-plus scores in Tests in England. The list he now shares includes iconic names like Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara, and Daryl Mitchell.

At the top of this distinguished table sits Australia's Steven Smith, who registered seven consecutive such scores in England. Pant, still just 27, has time and form on his side to challenge even that record.

Beyond the milestone, Pant's sustained success in England underscores a maturity and technical evolution in his game. Often labeled a maverick, Pant has refined his aggression with clarity of thought.

Statistically, he now boasts more Test hundreds in England than any other Indian wicketkeeper and has overtaken MS Dhoni in terms of centuries overall as a Test keeper-batter with seven hundreds. His tally of sixes as a visiting batter in England Tests has also equalled the record held by Steven Smith, a testament to Pant's unique ability to combine risk with reward in the longest format.