Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant produced a sparkling knock at a crucial time on Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on August 18. Despite holding a 178-run first-innings lead, Team India were in a spot of bother at 81/3 when Pant walked out to bat.

The southpaw, renowned for his counter-attacking abilities, swung the momentum Team India’s way with his breathtaking 66 off 69 balls. In the process, Pant also became the first Indian to smash 100 maximums in Test cricket.

The sparkling display and a 20th half-century included eight boundaries and two maximums.

Pant had been criticized for the rash shots that led to his dismissals in the practice match and the first innings of the ongoing first Test. However, the gloveman once again proved his value to the Indian side in the red-ball format.

Fans on X praised Rishabh Pant for another game-changing knock in Test cricket with the following reactions:

Fans continued hailing Pant for his explosive knock, with one saying:

“Since Debut In 2018, Rishabh Pant India’s Best Test Batter and Most Impactful Batter. Without Pant, India’s Test Cricket Team Is Nothing. In Every Difficult Situation This Player Scored Runs. Some Bitter Journalists Write About Pant, The Team Management Is Not Happy With Pant, Pant Will be Removed From The Team.”

“Flamboyant was literally made for Rishabh Pant. The swagger, the fearless shots, the madness — there’s simply no one like him,” said a fan.

“Rishabh Pant has once again answered his critics with the bat! A brilliant innings against Sri Lanka when it mattered. Instead of constantly criticising him, learn to appreciate match-winning performances. Let the bat do the talking!,” a fan posted.

Rishabh Pant’s heroics help India set a daunting run-chase for Sri Lanka

Rishabh Pant was one of India’s few bright spots in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The left-hander was India’s lone half-centurion in the innings as they fizzled away to be bowled out for 193 in the 49th over.

Yet, with the advantage of a massive first-innings lead, India ensured that the Lankans had a mountain to climb. With a day and a session remaining in the contest, Team India set the hosts a daunting target of 372 in the final innings.

Pant aside, India received contributions from KL Rahul (35) and Devdutt Padikkal (44) in their second innings. The rest of the Indian lineup had no batters even cross double figures.