Rishabh Pant's audacious century against England in the first Test at Leeds has been the talk of the town, not just for its sheer brilliance but also for the reactions it elicited. Among those reactions, one particularly stood out: that of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar, known for his sharp critiques, had previously labeled Pant's shot selection as "stupid, stupid, stupid" during a match in Australia. However, Pant's recent heroics prompted a complete turnaround, with Gavaskar effusively praising the innings as "superb, superb, superb."
The century was a remarkable feat, with Pant reaching the milestone in just 146 deliveries, decorated with 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. This was Pant's third Test century on English soil. Following the century, Pant celebrated with his signature somersault, a celebration that has become synonymous with him since his comeback. Gavaskar, in the commentary box, cheekily remarked that a stretcher and ambulance should be kept ready, just in case Pant injured himself attempting the acrobatic celebration.
Gavaskar later admitted that he was so impressed with Pant's innings that he "wanted to do the backstand" himself. He expressed immense happiness at seeing the young player bounce back after his unfortunate accident. Gavaskar acknowledged the joy that Pant's performance brings to his family and to India.
Adding another layer to the narrative, KL Rahul, Pant's teammate, offered insights into understanding Pant's unique mindset. Rahul, who also scored a century in the same match, emphasized the difficulty in deciphering Pant's approach. He stated, "It's hard for us to understand his mindset, but you let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant." Rahul defended Pant's aggressive style, pointing out that there is a method to his apparent madness, evidenced by his impressive Test average of 45. He also added that the team tries to calm him down between balls, but ultimately, it's best to let Pant play his natural game. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri echoed this sentiment, noting that Pant's batting may seem illogical, but there is a sharp cricket brain behind it, knowing when to counterattack.
Pant himself responded to Gavaskar's changed tune with a sense of humor. When asked by Cheteshwar Pujara about the transformation from "stupid, stupid, stupid" to "superb, superb, superb," Pant quipped, "Feeling toh wohi hai jo aapko hai iss samay (I have the same feelings as you)." He added that it felt good to work on his shortcomings and convert setbacks into comebacks, which was always his thought process.
KL Rahul further reflected on his own mindset shift, mentioning that he is now more focused on enjoying his cricket and less on chasing numbers. He credited former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him go back to basics and rediscover his love for hitting balls in the nets. Rahul acknowledged that he used to be in a "quality over quantity mindset" but now understands the importance of putting in the hard yards.
