Rishabh Pant has etched his name in the history books, achieving a feat that no other Indian cricketer, including legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, has accomplished. The young wicketkeeper-batsman has become the first Indian and only the second wicket-keeper ever to score centuries in both innings of a Test match away from home. This remarkable achievement occurred during the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, on June 23, 2025.
Pant's incredible performance has not only solidified his place as a key player in the Indian cricket team but has also broken several records along the way. He joins Zimbabwe's Andy Flower as the only other wicket-keeper to achieve twin centuries in a Test. Flower scored 142 and an unbeaten 199 against South Africa in Harare in 2001. However, Pant's feat is even more special as he is the first to do it in an overseas Test match.
In the first innings at Headingley, Pant scored a magnificent 134 runs, smashing six sixes and 12 fours. He continued his stellar form in the second innings, scoring 118 runs off 140 deliveries, including 15 fours and three sixes. His twin centuries have propelled India to a commanding position in the Test match.
With these two centuries, Pant has surpassed MS Dhoni's record for the most runs in a Test match by an Indian wicket-keeper, amassing a total of 252 runs in the match. He also now holds the record for the highest match aggregate by a wicketkeeper-batter in a Test in England, overtaking England's Alec Stewart. Additionally, Pant now boasts the most runs by a visiting wicketkeeper-batter in England, surpassing MS Dhoni's previous record.
Pant's achievement places him among an elite list of visiting batters who have recorded five consecutive 50-plus scores in England, including legends like Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara, and Daryl Mitchell.
Rishabh Pant has also accomplished the rare feat of scoring a century and a half-century in the same Test match in England twice. He had previously achieved this at Edgbaston in 2022, making him the first wicket-keeper in history to achieve this double twice in England. Interestingly, no English wicket-keeper has managed this feat in the 145 years of international red-ball cricket in England.
Furthermore, Pant's four centuries in England are the joint-most by a wicketkeeper, and the joint second-most by an Indian batter, alongside Dilip Vengsarkar and Sachin Tendulkar. Only Rahul Dravid, with six centuries, has more.
This historic feat is a testament to Rishabh Pant's immense talent, dedication, and fearless approach to the game. At 27 years old, he has already established himself as one of the most exciting and impactful players in world cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and his aggressive batting style make him a game-changer for India.