Leeds, June 23, 2025: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has etched his name into the history books, equalling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of four Test centuries in England. His latest ton came during the fourth day of the first Test of the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley, Leeds.
After being sent in to bat by England, India posted a commanding 471-run total in their first innings. The effort was bolstered by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. Pant’s innings was particularly impactful — a blazing 134 off 178 balls, registering the highest strike rate among India’s centurions in the innings.
England responded strongly, managing 465 runs in their first innings, narrowing the gap to just a six-run deficit. Ollie Pope stood out with a century, while Harry Brook fell heartbreakingly short, dismissed for 99.
India resumed their second innings late on Day 3 at 90/2. On the morning of Day 4, they lost captain Shubman Gill early, leaving the scoreboard at 92/3. At this critical juncture, Rishabh Pant arrived at the crease and began to rebuild the innings alongside KL Rahul.
The duo played contrasting roles — Rahul adopting a measured, defensive approach, while Pant provided controlled aggression in his trademark style. Both players reached half-centuries, and eventually converted them into hundreds. Though Rahul reached his century first, Pant was not far behind, bringing up his milestone with an uncharacteristically patient single.
This century was Pant’s second of the match and fourth overall in England. He had previously scored Test centuries at The Oval (2018) and Edgbaston (2022). With two more in Leeds, Pant now joins Sachin Tendulkar with four Test centuries on English soil — only Rahul Dravid has more among Indians, with six.
Additionally, Pant has become the first Indian batter to score two centuries in a single Test match in England, further underlining his value to the team in overseas conditions.
After reaching his second ton, Pant returned to his attacking mode, dispatching Joe Root to all parts of the ground. He eventually fell for 118 off 140 balls, but by then had provided India with a platform strong enough to press for victory in the closing stages of the Test.
As Day 4 winds down, India are well-positioned to push for a win in the series opener. Rishabh Pant’s historic performance has not only boosted the team’s morale but also cemented his place among the great Indian Test batters on English soil.
