India vs New Zealand 1st Test: Rishabh Pant etched his name in the record books on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand, becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to amass 2500 runs in Test cricket.
Reaching this milestone in a remarkable 62 innings, Pant toppled the former India captain MS Dhoni's record of 69 innings and Farokh Engineer's feat of 82 innings.
India produced a powerful comeback on Day 4, driven by Pant's spirited batting, reaching 344/3 at lunch and cutting the deficit to 12 runs. Pant's 53 runs off 56 balls delivered steadiness after early setbacks, while Sarfaraz Khan's maiden Test century propelled the comeback.
Fastest to 2500 Test runs by an Indian wicketkeeper (in innings)
62 - Rishabh Pant
69 - MS Dhoni
82 - Farokh Engineer
Resuming Day 4 at 231/3, India trailed New Zealand's 469 by 125 runs, depending on Pant and Sarfaraz to bridge the gap. Fighting concerns over a knee injury sustained while keeping on Day 3, Pant displayed no signs of discomfort, starting cautiously before unleashing his signature aggression.
Pant's aggressive yet calculated approach paid bonuses as he raced to his 12th Test fifty, achieved off just 55 deliveries with a lovely cover drive against Glenn Phillips. Pant's partnership with Sarfaraz Khan yielded 113 crucial runs in 22 overs.
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Since his debut in 2018, Rishabh Pant has evolved into a vital component of India's Test team, consistently delivering match-winning performances on foreign soil. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has left an indelible mark on international cricket, showcasing his prowess with memorable knocks in Australia and England.