CELEBRATING magician Rishabh Pant

How does on describe a batter when he is on song, explodes, and then collars the rival bowling attack. For those fed more on a staple diet of T20 cricket, which offers instant gratification like instant noodles, sixes and breathtaking shots are what spectators watch that brand of cricket for. In Tests, which is pure, pristine, and purposeful, for old timers as well as the younger generation, a certain maverick, or magician brings daring into play.

At Headingley, Leeds, in England on Monday, a busy first day at work for officer goers, Rishabh Pant showed a ruthless streak as well as the confidence of a race driver at the wheels of a Formula One car as he plundered the average English attack. To belt the red leather, which has a brand called the Duke ball, Pant crushed the English attack and scored an effervescent ton to showcase what intent is all about.

At the end of a great innings from not just Rishabh Pant but also opener KL Rahul, India were able to set up a total of 350 for England to chase victory in the first Test for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. First things first, anyone who has called Pant a reckless batter or said unpleasant things needs to say sorry, even if inwards, or find someone to make a confession. One is not talking about necessarily having to approach a spiritual guide to do the same, but a confession where rubbishing Pant does not happen again.

There were many takeaways from the blitzkrieg which Pant scripted. He gave TV commentators an opportunity to brush up their repertoire of words. Yet, for the common man who watches cricket for joy and forget sorrow or stress in times of war, what Pant showed was presence and purpose where his sublime batting skills reached a crescendo. For those who are glued to classical music and waiting for a rhapsody to be unleashed, Pant was on song. It lasted like lingering fragrance even when it was fresh. And it stayed even after his exit for 118 runs where the torrent of runs had brought the English bowling attack down to its knees, before hitting back. Sadly, even as Pant and Rahul played with confidence, the rest looked dull as ditchwater.

Let’s rewind to the comments which were made for Pant, even before he was elevated as the vice-captain of the Test side to Shubman Gill. Firstly, Pant is no spring-chicken nor is he a novice when it comes to performing in England. To deliver in England, whatever be the sport, requires more than just the usual skills.

After all, in less than a week, tennis’s ‘The Championship’ at Wimbledon in the famous suburb of London will witness the best grass-court stuff on view. Like Wimbledon’s grass changing character and even allowing a non-conformist tennis player to execute strokes which are not pure ‘grass style,’ Pant showed that to bat in England, being brave and having a blast is something which comes from within.

For those who felt choosing Leeds as the venue for the first Test in a high-profile series was deliberate, it made not difference to Pant. Call him a magician, call him an entertainer, he is the best wicket-keeper-batter in Test cricket across continents. And this is not just because of his twin tons in one Test, but how he has shown that to perform despite negativity is the hallmark of a champion. To score one ton in a Test in England is big. To double that after spending a lot of time behind the wickets donning the gloves, Pant has peaked.

Call it ecstasy or nirvana, what one witnessed from Pant was a carnage of sorts. He was talking to himself and he was goading himself. Now, don’t question that as well or call him ‘stupid stupid’ like Sunny Gavaskar did on air and now looks sheepish as he cheers Pant. When even a commentator/critic, who is on a paid job to offer comments gets nasty, it leaves a bad taste. Twice, Sunny, a man who has conquered many records in Test cricket has been cheering Pant in Leeds. Lesson learnt, do not slam Pant or question his credentials or commitment.

This is the way Rishabh Pant is going to bat, audacious bordering on daredevilry. Going back to the sport of F1 and England, where Silverstone in England hosts a famous Grand Prix, Pant was on the flat straight, aiming for a maximum speed. And this speed was about scoring runs as well as producing shots where the body dynamics came into play. People talk of footwork for a batter but this was hand-eye coordination, a great presence to survey the field and choose which line to attack. Pant was creative and cunning. If you still think his record of being the seventh Indian batter to score twin-tons in a Test is par for the course, see how the other batters looked as dry as stale bread.

Yes, the 252 runs in one Test from Pant at the start of the series has set the tone for himself as well. He has been subjected to more scrutiny than someone being examined in a court of law for even a petty crime. Remember, Pant is no villain, he is a delight. Celebrate him.