On the morning of Day 4 in the first Test, India suffered an early blow as Shubman Gill departed quickly. This brought Rishabh Pant to the crease, joining a composed and well-set KL Rahul. With India aiming to build a solid lead in the third innings, the pressure was on—but Pant didn’t take long to leave his mark. Facing just his second delivery, he confidently drove Chris Woakes for a boundary, immediately putting England on notice with his trademark aggression.
Pant’s approach to Test cricket has always stood out for its fearless and attacking style. While many batters take time to settle, Pant often takes the game to the bowlers from the start. However, this bold style sometimes comes with its share of risks. That became evident in the 33rd over, when Brydon Carse bowled a fuller delivery outside the off stump. Pant went for an audacious slog, aiming to clear the boundary with ease.
But the shot didn’t come off cleanly. The ball took the top edge and flew high toward the fine leg region. Fortunately for Pant, there was no fielder positioned there, and the ball trickled away for four runs. It was a lucky escape—had a fielder been placed there, Pant might have been walking back to the pavilion. The crowd held its breath for a moment, then exhaled in relief as the ball reached the boundary.
After that near miss, KL Rahul, ever the calm and composed senior, had a quick word with Pant. “Ball achhe se dekho,” he advised, reminding his partner to focus and watch the ball closely before going for such risky strokes. It was a gentle reminder to balance aggression with caution, especially when building a lead was crucial.
KL Rahul : बॉल अच्छे से देखो
— Gaurav Pandit (@igauravpandit) June 23, 2025
Pant : हांजी ऐसा नहीं है, ऐसे ही घुमा दूं, बॉल अच्छे से देखता हूं#ENGvIND #ENGvsIND #INDvsENG #India #LeedsTest #RishabhPant #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/AFjsnoHPkv
Pant, as always, responded in his own light-hearted manner. With a smile on his face, he replied, “Haanji, aisa nahi hai aise hi ghuma du, ball achhe se dekhta hoon.” His cheerful response summed up his personality—cheeky, confident, and composed under pressure. Moments like these not only reveal the camaraderie between players but also add to the drama and charm of Test cricket.