The first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India has been full of exciting cricket and light-hearted moments, with Rishabh Pant's stump-mic antics stealing the show on Day 2 in Leeds. Pant, known for his witty remarks and energetic presence behind the stumps, was caught in a hilarious exchange with Ravindra Jadeja, adding a refreshing layer of entertainment to the intense on-field battle.
During England's innings, a delivery from Jadeja spun wide down the leg side, forcing Pant to dive to prevent any extra runs. Reacting to this, Pant quipped, "Main bhi khel raha hu bhai, apne chauke ke chakkar mein mera chaukka mat dedena," which translates to "I'm also playing, brother. In trying to stop a four, don't concede my four." He was referring to byes, which are runs credited against the wicketkeeper when the ball goes past the batter without contact. This lighthearted banter quickly went viral, showcasing Pant's ability to lighten the mood while keeping his teammates engaged.
Adding to the on-field chatter, India's captain, Shubman Gill, also joined in with his tactical observations. After a tight delivery from Jadeja, Gill was heard saying, "Abhi ye pura confused hai Jaddu bhai, kaunsi seedhi hai aur kaunsi udhar. Aayega iska!" which means, "He's totally confused now, Jaddu brother — he doesn't know which one will turn. His wicket is coming!". These instances highlight the camaraderie and positive atmosphere within the Indian team.
Earlier in the day, Pant had another interesting exchange just before his dismissal. Facing Josh Tongue, Pant was repeatedly hit in the same area. He told Jadeja, "Sooja diya hai yaar isne maar-maar ke, same jagah maare ja raha hai (My knee is swollen, he's hitting me in the same spot repeatedly)." The very next ball, Pant was dismissed LBW by Tongue, proving his prediction accurate.
Pant's return to Test cricket after recovering from his accident has been impressive. In this match, besides his wicket-keeping duties and fun banter, he also contributed a valuable 134 runs with the bat, helping India reach a formidable total of 471. His innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, including some glorious shots and six boundaries. Shubman Gill also made a significant contribution with a superb 147.
However, India's innings saw a dramatic collapse, losing the last seven wickets for just 41 runs. England fought back with Ollie Pope scoring an unbeaten century, helping them reach 209/3 at the end of Day 2. Despite this, the day was filled with moments of brilliance and humor, particularly from Rishabh Pant, whose presence behind the stumps continues to be a source of entertainment and inspiration for fans and teammates alike.
