‘Test cricket is where I belong’ - Rishabh Pant cherishes ‘special’ century

A 635-day hiatus from Test cricket meant that Rishabh Pant’s return in Indian whites was the most anticipated storyline heading into the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, and, on his comeback, the dashing wicketkeeper batter did not disappoint. 

Pant scored a counter-attacking 39 in the first innings on Day 1 and then followed it up with a stunning century in the second innings, serving a reminder to the world of just how good a red-ball cricketer he is. During the 635 days, Pant had played just one red-ball game — the first round of the Duleep Trophy — but he batted like he’d never been gone in the first place, picking up from right where he left in Mirpur in December 2022.

The left-hander has already made his way back into both the ODI and T20I sides, but in the aftermath of the first Bangladesh Test, he asserted that donning the whites again gave him a feeling like no other. Why? Because, in his own words, Test cricket is where he belongs.

“100 was special because I love playing in Chennai. After the injury, I wanted to play all three formats, and this was my first [Test] match after coming back. Loving it every day,” Pant said after the game, reported ESPNcricinfo.

“Definitely it was emotional, I was looking to score runs in each and every game. Coming back to Test cricket, where I belong the most, being on the field gives me pleasure more than anything else,” he added.

In the second innings, where he scored a ton, Pant showed the full package. It was not pyrotechnics from ball one. Rather, he read the situation exceptionally well and played it accordingly. 

Walking in at 67/3, the left-hander was very watchful in the beginning, getting to his 50 off 88 balls (his third-slowest in Tests). But then he put the foot on the accelerator once things were secure, going from 50 to 100 in just 36 balls. 

Pant spoke about his approach and said that he always reads the situation in his own way. “I try to read the situation in my own way,” Pant said. 

“When you are 30/3, you need to stitch a partnership. That's what Gill and I did. I feel when you're batting with someone you have a great relationship outside the field, it really helps.”

With the ton in the second innings, Pant equalled MS Dhoni to become the Indian wicketkeeper with the joint-most centuries in Test cricket. 

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