Rishabh Pant marked a historic return to Test cricket as he notched up a scintillating century in the ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After missing out in the first innings where he looked in good touch as well, Pant brought up his sixth Test century in just 124 balls to provide India a dominant position. Notably, after his century, Pant’s childhood coach Devender Sharma compared the innings with that of Pant played in Gabba win over Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy back in 2021.
Pant’s childhood coach expressed his joy over the star wicketkeeper’s 109-run innings. Notably, Pant is playing his first test after over a period of 600 days owing to a near-fatal car accident that had him out of the format for over a year and a half.
Speaking to PTI, Devender said that while he was a bit sad that Pant couldn't get a century in the first innings of the IND vs BAN Chennai Test, he was chuffed to bits to see him get one in the second.
"Obviously I am very happy for Rishabh. In fact, he could have got a hundred in the first innings also and I was a bit sad that he didn't get that. But today (Saturday) he was flawless. This hundred is an important innings for him as it's his first international ton since comeback," Devender told PTI.
Devender said that Pant’s Gabba innings will always be special but given that Pant was away from cricket due to the accident, Chennai knock is also ‘right up there.’
"The series-winning knock at the Gabba will forever be special for everyone but if as a coach I am asked about this knock, it is invaluable and couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Every player needs that confidence and irrespective of all your heady achievements in white ball cricket, it is your Test match exploits that you are remembered for. After the accident and the kind of rehabilitation that he had to go through, this knock will be right up there," he added.
