IND vs ENG 1st Test: After fireworks vs RCB, Rishabh Pant drops Test masterclass - and a cartwheel - in 'blockbuster' return to England

One can question Rishabh Pant's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, but his intent in Test cricket is never in doubt. While Virat Kohli is often credited with making Test cricket relevant again, Indian fans would agree that it's Pant - through his antics, both with the bat and behind the stumps - who has made the longest format of the game truly entertaining.

From singing the Spiderman song in Hindi to being dubbed a babysitter, Pant's quirky charm has always grabbed attention. Now, he's added a new signature move to the mix: the cartwheel. And it's reserved for special occasions - specifically, a century. In just a matter of weeks, the cartwheel has made two appearances: first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and now in the 1st Test against England in Leeds.

Rishabh Pant 100

Carrying the same energy from Day 1, the newly appointed India vice-captain brought up his 7th Test century on Day 2 of the Leeds Test against England. He and skipper Shubman Gill, who ended Day 1 unbeaten, picked up right where they left off. The duo kept the English bowlers chasing shadows, with Pant once again proving that when it comes to red-ball cricket, he's in a league of his own. With this ton, he has scored his third Test century in England, adding another milestone to his red-ball legacy.

Pant reached his century in 146 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries and 4 sixes along the way. With this ton, he also surpassed the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni (6) for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper.

A maximum to get to his century in style ?

3rd Test Hundred in England for vice-captain Rishabh Pant ??

Updates ?? https://t.co/CuzAEnBkyu#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/txmdcvSrfS

¡ª BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2025

Fans call him 'blockbuster'

Soon after he got the 100 with a maximum and then the iconic cartwheel came into play, fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to praise the wicketkeeper-batter's blockbuster innings against England.

One said, "Well done Rishabh Pant...Really happy for him."

Well done Rishabh Pant
Really happy for him ?? pic.twitter.com/4wKusYaItf

¡ª anshu. (@Mygoat8een) June 21, 2025

Another said, "Test cricket excellence synonyms with Rishabh Pant."

Test cricket excellence synonyms with Rishabh Pant.

¡ª ? (@Yoyoyoeveryone) June 21, 2025

One wrote, "Rishabh pant in test cricket = Blockbuster."

Rishabh pant in test cricket = Blockbuster??#ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/kVA9lJoVQV

¡ª ???? ????? (@SethuVj007) June 21, 2025

Another wrote, "You can question his IPL form, but never write off Rishabh Pant the Test batsman. He's a different beast in this format. What a hundred man!"

You can question his IPL form, but never write off Rishabh Pant the Test batsman.
He¡¯s a different beast in this format.
What a hundred man! ? pic.twitter.com/e5fGZGASnk

¡ª Sandy (@flamboypant) June 21, 2025

Even Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)'s handle could not help but tweet. They wrote, "One handed six. Front-flip to celebrate. That¡¯s Rishabh Pant"

One handed six. Front-flip to celebrate. That¡¯s Rishabh Pant ?? ? pic.twitter.com/awFM4uXsdZ

¡ª KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) June 21, 2025

ENG vs IND: Teams

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

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