LONDON: Trent Bridge debutant Rishabh Pant has already had a Test match to remember, with a five-for with the gloves after an impressive 24 with the bat.
Dinesh Karthik had replaced the injured Wriddhiman Saha as the No.1 wicket-keeper for the series, but mediocre performances behind and in front of the stumps in the first two Tests for Karthik meant a Test debut for Pant in the third game.
And he has already had an excellent time, an ICC report on Monday said.The 20-year-old became the first Indian keeper to complete five catches on debut, proving his naysayers wrong. The batsmen dismissed as a result of Pant’s efforts behind the stumps were Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Chris Woakes, and Adil Rashid.
The left-handed batsman showed glimpses of his skills with the bat in the Indian first innings, scoring a 51-ball-24, which was a crucial contribution to the Indian total at that stage.
Interestingly, he got off the mark with a six off Rashid, becoming the first Indian and only the 12th player overall to get his first Test runs with a maximum.
No Indian keeper has claimed more than three dismissals in their first Test innings.
Keepers to effect five or more dismissals in their maiden Test innings: Brian Taber (Australia) ? against South Africa in Johannesburg, December 1966 John Maclean (Australia) ? against England in Brisbane, December 1978 Rishabh Pant (India) ? against England in Nottingham, August 2018
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, ” Fantastic cricket, both in front and behind the wickets. Congratulations @hardikpandya7 and @RishabPant777 on your respective 5 wicket hauls! Let’s nip this in the bud now. #ENGvIND.” (UNI)
