Rishabh Pant surprised the cricketing fraternity with a cheeky reverse sweep against veteran seamer James Anderson en route to his third Test century during the ongoing fourth and final Test against England on Friday. 

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Reacting to the shot in his post-match interview, Pant said that such attempts need to be pre-meditated while also needing a bit of luck for the perfect execution. 

Pant accelerated the scoring as soon as England opted for the new ball at the 80th-over mark and in the 83rd over, flicked Anderson for a boundary over the slips, exhibiting the kind of audacity that has gone on to define his batting. 

“You have to premeditate reverse-flicks, but if luck is going your way you can take the odd chance,” Pant said. 

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Pant’s innings, along with his 113-run partnership with Washington Sundar – who remained unbeaten at 60 – helped India establish a handy 89-run lead at the end of the day’s play. 

The 23-year-old southpaw hit 13 fours and two sixes in his innings, the second of which was a slog-sweep off skipper Joe Root to bring up his century. 

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“If the bowlers are bowling well, I respect it and take the singles, and that was on my mind. I like to play the situation and I just see the ball and react,” Pant said. 

“I get the license most of the time, but I have to assess the situation and take the game head on. I like to make the team win and if the crowd is entertained by that, I’m happy.”

India’s score at Stumps on the second day was 294/7 in reply to England first innings total of 205. The hosts need to avoid defeat in order to qualify for the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand.