• Source:JND
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India vs Bangladesh 1st Test: After making his roaring return to Test cricket with a blistering century, India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant reflected on his poignant celebration following his stellar century in India's 280-run triumph over Bangladesh in the Chennai Test.

Pant smashed his sixth Test century, his first since returning to competitive cricket after recovering from injuries he suffered in a horrific car accident in December 2022, on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh.

Courtesy of hundreds by Pant and Shubman Gill, India set Bangladesh an improbable target of 515, but the visitors fell way short of the mark after being bowled out for 234 in their second innings at Chepauk.

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Pant's reaction to scoring his sixth Test century was a poignant moment of introspection. Upon reaching the milestone with a two-off Shakib Al-Hasan, Pant stood mid-pitch, eyes closed, bat aloft, and head tilted heavenward, seemingly offering a heartfelt, silent prayer of thankfulness.

"100 was special because I love playing in Chennai. After injury, I wanted to play all three formats and this was my first Test. Hope to get better every day," Pant said after India's 280-run win.

"It was emotional, I wanted to score each and every match which didn't happen but I wanted to do well in Tests, which is where I belong the most. Being on the field gives me pleasure more than anything else," he added.

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With his signature flair, Pant slammed a 109-run knock from 128 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes. His 167-run partnership with Shubman Gill allowed India to retrieve from 67/3 to declare at 287/4.

"I don't know what people say outside but I try to read the situation in my own way. When you are 30-3, you need to stitch a partnership. That's what Gill and I did. To do it with a guy who I have a great relationship with is special," Pant said.

After Pant and Gill's exploits with the bat, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin completed a memorable all-round outing with a six-wicket haul as a dominant India crushed the visitors with more than five sessions to spare.

First-inning centurion Ashwin (6/88) did the bulk of the damage, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up 3/58. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for Bangladesh with an 82 off 127 balls.

(With PTI Inputs)