Leeds, June 21, 2025 – Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant marked his return to Test cricket in true “Pant style”—explosive, fearless, and unforgettable. On a cloudy afternoon at Headingley, Leeds, the 27-year-old southpaw silenced critics and reignited fan hopes by scoring his 7th Test century, leading India to a strong position in the first Test of the England tour.
What made this innings more special wasn’t just the runs. It was about the moment, the setting, and the statement.
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A Long-Awaited Comeback
Pant had been out of the Indian Test side for nearly 10 months due to a serious hamstring tear and form slump following the IPL 2024 season. Despite performing well in limited-overs formats and IPL 2025, his place in the Test XI remained uncertain. The selectors took a leap of faith by including him in the squad for this tough five-match series against England, and Pant returned the favor in style.
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The Innings: Controlled Madness
India were struggling at 123/4 after a fiery opening spell from James Anderson and Mark Wood on Day 2. The pitch was offering seam, swing, and occasional bounce. Enter Rishabh Pant — wearing his usual swagger and a quiet confidence. Instead of buckling under pressure, he counter-attacked, just as he had done during his iconic Gabba innings in 2021 and Ahmedabad Test in 2022.
He built crucial partnerships with KL Rahul and later with Shardul Thakur, steadily moving from 0 to 20, then from 20 to 50 with a flurry of reverse sweeps and down-the-track punches.
The turning point came when England introduced spin in the form of Jack Leach. Pant stepped out on the very second delivery and lofted it for six, signaling that he had found his rhythm. He reached his hundred in just 127 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes, celebrating with an unexpected cartwheel, drawing loud cheers from Indian fans.
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Emotional Scenes: From Doubt to Dominance
The celebration wasn’t just for the fans—it was personal. Pant pointed to the Indian dressing room, pounded his chest, and looked skyward. His coach Rahul Dravid was seen applauding calmly, but with a proud smile. It wasn’t just a century; it was a message to the world: “I’m back, and I never left.”
In the post-session interview, Pant said:
> “I’ve waited a long time for this day. People wrote me off, but I never stopped believing. This century is not just about runs—it’s about heart.”
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England Caught Off-Guard
The English bowlers had no answers to Pant’s aggression and unconventional shot selection. Every time they tried to pitch it short, he pulled. When they bowled full, he swept or drove. Mark Wood, who dismissed Virat Kohli earlier with a peach, admitted:
> “Pant is dangerous because he doesn’t let bowlers settle. He breaks rhythm. Fair play to him—he deserved that hundred.”
Captain Ben Stokes tried to outthink Pant with funky field placements, but Pant continued rotating strike and attacking at the right moments.
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Social Media Erupts
Twitter, Instagram, and even LinkedIn (yes, cricket updates are everywhere now) blew up as Pant reached triple digits. Hashtags like #RishabhPant100, #PantIsBack, and #INDvsENG trended within minutes.
Former cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Kevin Pietersen posted their reactions.
Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “Pant’s innings is a beautiful mix of courage and timing. A true modern-day match-winner. Well played!”
Sehwag joked: “Only Pant can make Test cricket look like T20 and still leave the crowd screaming for more.”
Pietersen wrote: “Love watching Pant bat. That celebration was 🔥.”
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Bigger Picture: India's New Test Core
Pant’s return is good news not just for the fans, but for Indian cricket overall. With Kohli aging, and Rohit Sharma focusing on limited overs, India needs new match-winners in the longer format.
Rishabh Pant, alongside Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj, could become the new spine of India’s Test team heading into the 2025–2027 World Test Championship cycle.
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The Road Ahead
India ended Day 2 at 296/7, with Pant dismissed for 111 after edging a wide delivery off Ollie Robinson. While his dismissal was soft, the damage had been done. His innings pulled India out of crisis and gave them momentum in what’s expected to be a tight series.
With four more Tests to go, Pant’s performance may decide the outcome of the series. If he continues this form, not only is a series win in England on the cards—but Pant may be India’s next Test captain in the making.
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Conclusion
Rishabh Pant’s Leeds century was more than a hundred runs—it was a roar of resilience, a reminder of his unmatched ability to dominate under pressure. In the world of cricket, comebacks are often glorified. But few are earned with as much flair and determination as this one.
If cricket is a stage, then Rishabh Pant just delivered a blockbuster opening act—and the audience can’t wait for the sequel.
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