作者:TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jun 22, 2025, 13:09 IST
Rishabh Pant (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
NEW DELHI: Team India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant lit up Day 2 of the Headingley Test not just with his bat, but also with his words.In a now-viral video, Pant was caught on the stump mic saying, âSuja diya yaar maar maar ke, ek hi jagah maare ja raha haiâ â roughly translating to, âHeâs made me swollen, man, just by hitting the same spot again and again!â
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The comment, directed at partner Ravindra Jadeja, came right after an aggressive phase of his innings.Watch:
Ironically, Pant was dismissed on the very next ball, pinned lbw by Josh Tongue after shouldering arms to a delivery that nipped back sharply. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Despite the dismissal, Pantâs 134 (off 178 balls) was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring fearless strokeplay and tactical brilliance.Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar later praised Pantâs unusual âfalling paddle sweepâ, calling it âintentional and extremely cleverâ.
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According to the legendary batter, the shot allowed Pant to scoop the ball with precision over leg slip, especially effective against Bashir. Tendulkar also pointed out the strategic mid-over conversations in Hindi between Shubman Gill and Pant, suggesting they were designed to disrupt the young spinnerâs rhythm.
Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Shubman Gill after maiden Test ton in England: 'I love it'
Gill and Pantâs 209-run stand was the cornerstone of Indiaâs imposing 471-run total, following Yashasvi Jaiswalâs fluent 101. Gillâs composed 147 and Pantâs flamboyant ton put Englandâs attack under severe pressure -- until both fell within quick succession, triggering a collapse.While India lost their last seven wickets for just 41 runs, Jasprit Bumrah ensured they stayed in command with a three-wicket burst, including the vital scalp of Joe Root. But Ollie Popeâs gritty unbeaten 100 kept England in the game at 209/3.