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Ayushi Singh

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Rishabh Pant

Watch: KL Rahul greets Rishabh Pant with folded hands after stumps on Day 1 of the India vs England Test

Credits: BCCI/X

Rishabh Pant, in Tests, is a sight for sore eyes. In a format that demands patience, both from the players and the viewers, Pant brings thrill. Indian fans sit at the edge of their seats as they gauge whether Pant will attempt a one-handed aerial shot on the next ball. Demanding traditional defensive techniques is a hard ask from the newly appointed Indian Test vice-captain. As the turn came for Rishabh Pant to join the proceedings on Day 1 of the first India vs England Test at Headingley, the 'spidey' sense came along. On his second delivery of the innings, Pant charged against the English captain as he hit one over the head of Ben Stokes. The day closed with a sixer in the last over, courtesy of the flamboyant second-in-command.

KL Rahul bows down to Rishabh Pant following the conclusion of Day 1 of the opening India vs England Test

As Day 1 of the opening India vs England Test neared conclusion at Headingley, Rishabh Pant delivered a moment only he could conjure. The end of a session in Test cricket witnesses the batsmen going defensive in their game, attempting at a safe closure of the phase. However, that's not Rishabh Pant. When the opening day came to a close, Chris Woakes, bowling the last over face the brunt of an unorthodox Indian batter. Choosing flair over caution, the left-hander charged down the pitch to a length ball from Chris Woakes and launched it effortlessly over deep square leg for a six.

Woakes could only stand and smirk in disbelief. England captain Ben Stokes reacted with a bemused grin. But perhaps the most memorable response came after play. As Pant made his way up the steps, unbeaten on 65, KL Rahul greeted him at the dressing room with folded hands and a mock bow, a playful nod to Pantโ€™s audacity. It was a mix of friendly jest and genuine appreciation for the fearless knock that closed out Indiaโ€™s commanding day.

The shot wasnโ€™t a reckless flourish. It was pure Pant, instinctive, calculated, and clean. And it put the perfect exclamation mark on a day that had already tilted heavily in Indiaโ€™s favour. Asked to bat first on a green-tinged surface, the visitors ended the day at a formidable 359/3.

Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill had laid a rock-solid foundation. Jaiswal carved out a stylish 101, becoming the first visiting player to score centuries in debut Tests in both Australia and England. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time in Tests, remained unbeaten on 127, a composed, fluent innings that stamped his authority both as batter and captain.

Pantโ€™s entry in the final session shifted the narrative once more. Where England looked to apply the brakes, Pant stepped on the gas. His 65 came off just 91 deliveries and included two sixes and seven boundaries, a burst of energy at the tail end of a dominant day. KL Rahul, too, played his part at the top. Though he missed out on a fifty, his 42 off 78 balls helped forge a strong 91-run opening stand with Jaiswal, setting the tone for Indiaโ€™s bright start in the series.

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