Can you believe it? The 8th day of the 4th test match at Headingley, and Rishabh Pant had just done something no Indian cricketer had ever done before on English soil – score two centuries in a match. As the cricket world was marveling at the innings innovation that came from Pant’s bat, Sunil Gavaskar, from the commentary box, made the jarring suggestion for his celebration, “Somersault, please!” Yes, instead of the humble bat raise or acknowledging applause, the great opener wanted an entire backflip encore.
And you know what? It almost happened. Pant grinned up at the box, threw a thumbs-up, and wiggled a “later” somersault. If you’ve followed Pant a little bit, you’d know – he just might do it.
But let’s go back a little. This wasn’t just any celebration. It was a milestone innings that changed the game, obliterated narratives, and almost planted an Indian flag deep in the heart of English soil.
Pant’s Second Coming: From Wild to Wise
The fact that Pant’s twin centuries are an even more impressive achievement is the way he has developed as a player. He didn’t come out there blazing; he came with a plan. Instead of fireworks, he gave us finesse.
In tandem with a calm KL Rahul, Pant began with a tempered approach, playing late and playing close. He made his century off 130 balls – a very conservative pace for a guy who can turn a Test match into a T20 in a matter of hours. That is development. That is maturity. And that is why Gavaskar was grinning like a proud elder statesman in the media box.
A Knock That Ties Pant to Cricketing Royalty
For a wicketkeeper-batter, it is even more uncommon than that. The only player to achieve it prior was Andy Flower of Zimbabwe, and that was way back in 2001. On that count, Pant is in a league of his own. But hold on.
With this innings, Pant now has four Test centuries in England, alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar. At just 27, he isn’t even chasing legends anymore—he’s already standing next to them, rewriting the script in their backyard.
Rahul Dravid is the only one ahead of him in England with six hundred, but if Pant continues in this form, who’s to say he won’t end up smashing that record too? Pants’ game is evolving as evidenced by including cheeky reverse sweeps and crucial partnerships, and it seems playing in England brings out the best in him!
Gavaskar’s Request Wasn’t Just Banter
Of course, asking for a somersault may sound like a joke – it was – but it wasn’t just a frivolous nudge. Gavaskar, who did more than anyone to raise the bar for Indian batting abroad, was applauding Pant as more than a player – he was celebrating the fact that he is a performer, someone who can bring joy to the sport.
Pant denotes in cricket a new India with confidence, with eclectic diversity, and with an instinctive ability to drop it when required. It was a symbolic liberation of the torch of “playing through fear” from the man who played against the fearsome West Indian pace to the man who is playing with ease against the swinging ball of the English, and smiling whilst doing so, letting it go with a flick of the wrists.
And when Pant inevitably performs that somersault at Leeds or further down the line, it won’t be for fun. It will be for the journey. So, what do you think, should Pant add this somersault to his arsenal of celebrations or reserve it for record-breaking centuries?
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