As Rishabh Pant scored his maiden ODI century against England on Sunday, his 125-run knock also went into the history books. The 24-year-old became the third designated Indian wicketkeeper to score a century outside Asia, after Rahul Dravid and KL Rahul.
Pant hit English bowler David Willey for five consecutive boundaries in the 42nd over, which helped India to register a victory in the third ODI over England and win the series in Manchester.
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Before Pant’s heroics on Sunday in Manchester, only former India vice-captain Rahul Dravid and KL Rahul had scored centuries outside Asia as wicketkeeper. Dravid’s feat came 23 years ago against Sri Lanka in Taunton, England in 1999 whereas Rahul scored his century against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui two years ago in 2020.
Since then, Pant has now become the third Indian wicketkeeper to achieve the feat. His 125* off 113 balls came at a crucial moment for India, who had already lost two wickets in only 21 runs when Pant came on.
From there, Pant put together the highest partnership of the ODI series with teammate Hardik Pandya, scoring 133 runs in 115 balls in a fifth wicket partnership.
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While Pant was left unbeaten with 125 runs at the end, Pandiya helped the wicketkeeper batter by scoring 71 runs, a crucial part of India’s chase of England’s 259. However, he was caught out by Ben Stokes, who he had previously dismissed in the first inning.
The Indian cricket team have now won the ODI series against England and will fly to West Indies to play three ODI and five T20I matches. India will face West Indies in the first ODI on Friday, July 22 at Queen’s Park Oval.