Rishabh Pant scripted history by becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach 2500 runs in Test cricket on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand. Pant achieved the milestone in just 62 innings, surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni, who previously held the record at 69 innings, and Farokh Engineer, who achieved the feat in 82 innings.
The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter played a crucial role as India continued their strong comeback on Day 4, reaching 344/3 at lunch, trailing New Zealand by just 12 runs. Pant’s blistering knock of 53 off 56 balls helped stabilize India after an early wobble, combining with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a maiden Test hundred.
Resuming the day at 231/3, India, still 125 runs behind, looked to Pant and Sarfaraz to guide them closer to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 469. Despite missing Day 3 after suffering a knee injury while keeping, Pant showed no signs of discomfort at the crease. He made a cautious start but soon unleashed his attacking flair, smashing left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel for two sixes in quick succession, followed by a series of powerful drives and deft sweeps.
Fastest to 2500 Test runs by an Indian wicketkeeper (in innings)
62 – Rishabh Pant
69 – MS Dhoni
82 – Farokh Engineer
Pant reached his 12th Test fifty off just 55 balls with a sumptuous cover drive off Glenn Phillips, further showcasing his aggressive yet calculated approach. His partnership with Sarfaraz, worth 113 runs in just 22 overs, was pivotal in India’s quest to overhaul New Zealand’s total. Sarfaraz, playing in only his fifth Test, was the star of the session with a sublime century, but Pant’s steady presence at the other end proved equally vital.
The 26-year-old Pant’s rapid rise in the Test format has been a major talking point in Indian cricket. Since making his debut in 2018, he has quickly established himself as a match-winner, especially in overseas conditions, with notable innings in Australia and England. His aggressive batting style, coupled with an ever-improving glovework behind the stumps, has drawn comparisons with Dhoni, but Pant has consistently carved out his own legacy.
