Rishabh Pant's Triumphant Return

A Slow Day in Chennai

It was a laid-back day in Chennai, both literally and figuratively. Some spectators even donned winter caps, embracing the unusual chill. India had already established a commanding 308-run lead, leaving Bangladesh with little motivation to actively compete. Their mindset seemed reasonable in a way. The game had entered declaration territory, so why exhaust their bowlers? Perhaps they were also conscious of the overrate. Under a cloudy sky, following some early morning rain, and on a pitch that no longer offered much movement for fast bowlers, Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled more overs in the morning session of day three than any of his teammates. The scattered field placements only added to the comfort of India’s batters, who effortlessly strolled between the wickets for singles.

Eventually, Rishabh Pant couldn't take the passive approach any longer. He called out in frustration, urging Bangladesh to adjust their fielding. He requested a fielder at midwicket, clearly itching for more of a challenge. Having been away from Test cricket for two years, it was evident that Pant had missed the game dearly. By the third day of his comeback, he was so engaged that he appeared to be playing for both teams, not just India.

Pant’s Unique Batting Style

Pant’s centuries are always filled with highlights, and this one was no exception. The crowd, accustomed to watching replays, appreciated every scoop shot he played. One particularly memorable moment was a straight six, where Pant let his bottom hand slip off the bat. He had played the same shot during an IPL game in Dubai three years ago, and commentator Matthew Hayden had dismissed any notion that it was a fluke. Hayden had explained that Pant’s release of the bottom hand gave him the necessary extension to clear the boundary.

Pant’s scoop shots carry a similar counterintuitive brilliance. While most players, like Jos Buttler, try to get outside the ball’s line to make the shot easier, Pant stays in line, bending his torso at the last second to access the gap at fine leg. His natural understanding of shot mechanics seems to be evolving.

Pant’s performance on day one of the Chepauk Test, where he scored 39 under challenging conditions, showcased his ability to play with soft hands. It’s easy to overlook this skill, given Pant’s reputation for flamboyant antics—he’s known for his babysitting exploits as much as for his batting. At the Gabba in 2021, Pant demonstrated this patience, hitting only one boundary in his first 48 balls because the match situation demanded restraint. Here, there were no such constraints. He was 30 off 65 balls, simply taking his time. This measured approach suggests Pant might be maturing beyond his instinctive, aggressive stroke play.

Once he found his rhythm, though, the excitement began. Pant scored 19 off his first 39 balls against spin, then went on to blast 64 off his next 48. The crowd was ecstatic, and Shubman Gill, his batting partner, had to stay alert. They celebrated several boundaries together, following a routine that involved two glove punches and two bat taps, reminiscent of a secret handshake from the show *Community*. It looked cool, but Gill later shared that he was concerned about Pant hitting his bat too hard, as it was an old one. Pant, however, insisted on repeating the routine even when the timing wasn’t perfect.

India may have discovered a thrilling new partnership between Pant and Gill, with their seasoned teammates watching with interest. Rohit Sharma waited in the dressing room, while Virat Kohli, after a practice session, made sure to return in time to witness it. Pant reached his century with a gentle push to long-off, needing just one more run. While Gill assumed they’d take a moment to enjoy the milestone, Pant, true to form, insisted on running for two.

Emotional Comeback

After completing his century, Pant stepped to the side for a brief pause. The weight of his journey back to the game—from surviving a life-threatening accident to playing cricket again, and now scoring a hundred in his comeback Test—seemed to wash over him. For a few rare seconds before raising his bat, Pant appeared overwhelmed by the reality of his achievement. It was a moment of quiet reflection for a player who usually thrives on exuberance.