Rishabh Pant's audacious somersault celebration following his century in the first Test against England has become a major talking point in the cricketing world, drawing reactions from former cricketers and fans alike. The celebration, a display of athleticism and exuberance, has been viewed as a testament to Pant's resilience and unique personality, especially considering his recent comeback from a life-threatening car accident in December 2022.

Pant reached his seventh Test century in his trademark aggressive style, launching Shoaib Bashir over deep midwicket for a six. Immediately after reaching the milestone, he dropped his bat and gloves and executed a flawless somersault, a move that quickly went viral. The celebration was not a spontaneous act but something he had planned, with Pant revealing he had three different celebrations in mind but ultimately chose the somersault, a skill he has honed since childhood.

Former cricketers have expressed their admiration and amusement at Pant's celebration. Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, noted that Pant likely had a gymnastics background from a young age. He said, "Nothing wrong in that. That's him. Let him be. You know, he's different. At a very young age, he did a lot of gymnastics." Shastri jokingly added that if he were to attempt it, he would probably end up in a swimming pool.

Dinesh Karthik, a fellow wicketkeeper-batter, was in awe of Pant's all-around abilities. "Neither could I do the somersault like him, nor can I bat like him," Karthik admitted. He further added, "I think on both fronts (keeping and batting) he has exceeded expectations. It's quite an effort to do that, actually. And he does it consistently." Karthik also humorously mentioned his own failed attempts at gymnastics as a child.

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his calm and composed demeanor, simply stated, "Rishabh being Rishabh, he does something unique. He does it really well. I think it was unique. No one expected him to do that." Pujara admitted he would need a lot of practice to attempt such a feat.

The somersault carried extra significance given Pant's journey back to cricket. The accident in 2022 had left him with severe injuries, including multiple fractures and ligament tears. His return to professional cricket is considered an inspiring story of determination and recovery. Pant himself acknowledged the hard work he put in to regain his fitness, including his ability to perform gymnastics. “In school, I did gymnastics. I'm very used to it. Even if you wake me up in the middle of the night, I can do a somersault. After the accident, I had to work even harder at it. But I put in the work, and now it's easy for me again,” he said.

Pant's mental fortitude and his background in gymnastics were crucial in his swift recovery. According to staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), his prior experience with gymnastics gave him an edge during rehabilitation. Nishanta Bordoloi, a strength and conditioning coach at the NCA, said, "One thing was that Rishabh has a background for gymnastic which was a very very big asset for us because there are a few things that come naturally to him. Anytime he would feel he couldn't move, he could tumble or roll over back to his feet again. Which was so much of an added advantage for him."

The century itself was a testament to Pant's growth and maturity as a cricketer. After the innings, Pant said he wanted to work on a few aspects of his game and be more disciplined. He also expressed satisfaction in winning back the respect of Sunil Gavaskar, who had been critical of his performances in the past.

Rishabh Pant's somersault celebration is more than just an athletic display; it symbolizes his indomitable spirit, his journey of recovery, and his unique approach to the game of cricket. It's a celebration that has resonated with fans and cricketers alike, solidifying Pant's image as a dynamic and inspiring figure in the world of sports.