In nearly 150 years of Test history, no visiting wicketkeeper-batsman has achieved this feat on English soil before.
Rishabh Pant smashed a delivery from pacer Brydon Carse through the slot, sending it soaring over long-on for six. With that powerful hit, he reached a remarkable milestone and etched his name into the history books.
Pant became the first visiting wicketkeeper-batsman to score 1,000 Test runs in England.
To reach the milestone, Pant needed 19 runs in the Old Trafford Test. On the first day, during India’s innings in the 61st over, he cleared Carse for six to reach the landmark.
However, shortly after that high point, the 27-year-old faced a serious setback. While attempting a reverse sweep off pacer Chris Woakes, Pant missed the ball, which yorked him on the boot. Despite receiving treatment from the physio, he was unable to continue batting.
On TV, it was visible that his right foot was swollen and bleeding from one spot. He was taken off the field on a golf cart.
At that time, Pant was batting on 37 runs off 48 balls.
Pant made his Test debut in England in August 2018. Over 24 innings in the country, he has scored 1,018 runs at an average of 44.26, including four centuries and four fifties.
No other visiting wicketkeeper-batsman has even scored 800 Test runs in England. Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is second on this list with 778 runs from 23 innings, followed by Australia’s Rod Marsh with 773 runs from 35 innings.
Pant became the sixth Indian batsman to reach 1,000 Test runs in England. Earlier that same day, opener Lokesh Rahul also reached this milestone. The other four are Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli.
Pant has been in excellent form on this tour. Across seven innings in four Tests, he averages 77 with 462 runs, including two centuries and two fifties.
The ongoing match in Manchester marks Pant’s 13th Test in England, and his 12th against England on English soil. His other Test was the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton in 2021 against New Zealand.
