The India vs England Test series kicked off with a bang at Headingley, Leeds, and once again, it was Rishabh Pant who stole the show. Known for his fearless batting style and love for big moments, Pant delivered yet another unforgettable performance — scoring a brilliant century and breaking a major record in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Pant’s Century Lights Up Headingley

Rishabh Pant played a stunning knock of 134 runs off 178 balls, showcasing his usual mix of aggression and control. His innings featured 12 boundaries and 6 massive sixes, as he tore into the English bowling attack. He brought up his century in dramatic fashion, launching Shoaib Bashir for a towering six into the stands — a trademark Pant move.

This was Pant’s seventh Test hundred, and notably his third against England, making them one of his favorite opponents. Time and again, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has risen to the occasion in tough situations, and this innings proved why he’s considered one of the most exciting players in modern Test cricket.

New Record: Most Sixes by an Indian in WTC History

Alongside his century, Pant reached another major milestone — becoming the Indian player with the most sixes in World Test Championship history. With his 6 sixes in this innings, Pant now has 62 sixes in WTC matches, overtaking Rohit Sharma, who has 56 from 40 games.

What makes this record even more impressive is that Pant achieved it in only 35 WTC matches. His ability to clear the boundary under pressure and change the game’s tempo is unmatched among current wicketkeepers.

WTC Sixes Leaders (All-Time):

  • 🥇 Ben Stokes (England) – 83 sixes in 54 matches

  • 🥈 Rishabh Pant (India) – 62 sixes in 35 matches

  • 🥉 Rohit Sharma (India) – 56 sixes in 40 matches

Pant now sits second on the overall WTC six-hitting list, only behind Ben Stokes. At the rate he’s going, Pant could challenge for the top spot before the end of this WTC cycle.

Match Impact: Game-Changing Knock

Pant’s innings wasn’t just about setting records — it had a real impact on the game. His century helped India post a huge first-innings total of 471, putting the team in a strong position early in the match. His positive batting helped break the rhythm of the England bowlers, who struggled to contain him once he got going.

Crichourly Match Analysis

According to Crichourly’s match analysis, Pant’s aggressive century changed the momentum completely. England had been building pressure with tight bowling, but Pant’s counterattack broke that strategy. It not only gave India a lead but also gave the bowlers enough runs to play with.

Match Prediction – India in the Driver’s Seat?

With India putting up a strong total and Jasprit Bumrah already making early inroads, Crichourly’s match prediction points to India having the upper hand. However, England is capable of turning things around, especially on home soil. A lot will depend on how their middle order responds on Day 3.

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