Trisha Ghosal in Sydney
Rishabh Pant is a name that evokes polarising emotions among Indian cricket fans and analysts. You can love him for his audacious brilliance, criticise him for his inexplicable dismissals, but you cannot ignore him, especially in Test cricket.
Pant has played some of the most memorable innings in cricket history, showcasing an uncanny ability to single-handedly turn the tide in India’s favour. At other times, his ill-timed aggression has left India vulnerable, leading to heartbreaking losses. Let’s dive into moments where Pant’s batting was the difference between victory and defeat, proving why he is rightly called India’s “Turnaround Man.”
Pant’s Match-Winning Contributions
1. Hyderabad Test, 2018:
West Indies posted 311, and India faltered at 162/4. Pant, alongside Rahane, stitched a vital 152-run partnership for the fifth wicket, scoring 92 off 134 balls. India piled up 367 and eventually cruised to victory.
2. Gabba Test, 2021:
In one of cricket’s most iconic matches, Australia set India a target of 328. Pant walked in at 167/3 and remained unbeaten on 89 off 138 balls, sealing a historic win and breaching Australia’s Gabba fortress.
3. Chennai Test, 2021:
India, at 248/4, needed resilience. Pant’s unbeaten 58 off 77 balls helped stretch India’s total to 329. England was bundled out for 134 in reply, and India secured a commanding victory.
4. Ahmedabad Test, 2021:
India struggled at 80/4 in response to England’s 205. Pant’s majestic 101 off 118 balls propelled India to 365, ensuring a win by an innings and 25 runs. He was rightly named Player of the Match.
5. Mohali Test, 2022:
With India at 170/3, Pant’s brisk 96 off 97 balls set the tone for India’s mammoth 574/8 declared. Sri Lanka folded twice, and India won by an innings and 222 runs.
6. Bengaluru Test, 2022:
Pant smashed the fastest Test fifty for India in just 28 balls, helping India set an unassailable target for Sri Lanka, who lost by 238 runs.
7. Mirpur Test, 2022:
Bangladesh had India on the ropes at 72/3, but Pant’s 93 off 104 balls, coupled with a 159-run stand with Shreyas Iyer, turned the match. India chased down 145 with three wickets to spare.
8. Chennai Test, 2024:
Against Bangladesh, Pant’s 109 off 128 balls, supported by a 167-run partnership for the fourth wicket, set a daunting target of 515 runs. India won by 280 runs.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
Pant’s Impactful But Costly Dismissals
1. Oval Test, 2018:
Chasing 464, Pant scored a remarkable 114 off 146 balls, adding 204 runs with KL Rahul. But his dismissal to Adil Rashid at 328 triggered a collapse, and India lost by 118 runs.
2. Chennai Test, 2021:
In a steep chase of 420, Pant’s aggressive 91 off 88 balls ended when he fell to Dom Bess, playing a risky lofted shot. India succumbed to a 227-run defeat.
3. Southampton Test (WTC Final), 2021:
Batting against New Zealand, Pant scored a gritty 41 off 88 balls. However, a poorly executed shot off Trent Boult led to his dismissal, and India lost the match.
4. Birmingham Test, 2022:
Pant’s breathtaking 146 off 111 balls, followed by 57 in the second innings, were overshadowed by his risky dismissals to Joe Root and Jack Leach, contributing to India’s loss.
5. Bengaluru Test, 2024:
Pant’s knock of 99, full of flair, ended when he chopped the ball onto his stumps. India collapsed after his dismissal, losing to New Zealand.
6. Wankhede Test, 2024:
Pant’s twin counter-attacking innings of 60 and 64 couldn’t save India from losing a close encounter against New Zealand.
7. MCG Test, 2024:
Pant’s 30 off 104 balls in a tough chase against Australia ended with a careless shot to part-timer Travis Head. India collapsed and lost the match.
Sydney Test, 2025 – A Knock to Remember?
In today’s Test match, on a challenging green Sydney wicket, where batters struggled to survive, Pant produced a counter-attacking masterpiece. Facing his first delivery, he danced down the track and swatted a 133 kph length ball over wide long-on for six. It set the tone for a breathtaking 61 off 33 balls.
While his knock ensured India ended the day 145 runs ahead, Pant’s dismissal—chasing a widish length ball and edging it behind—once again raised questions. Will this knock prove decisive or merely a brilliant cameo? By tomorrow, we will have the answer.
One thing remains indisputable: Rishabh Pant is the heartbeat of Indian Test cricket. He is the turnaround man—sometimes for India’s triumphs, sometimes for its struggles.
Thanks to Snehasis Mukherjee for assisting with the research for the above statistics.
Also Read: A Tug-of-War at the SCG: India’s Bold Approach Keeps the Test in Balance