Leeds, June 21, 2025 – Rishabh Pant stole the show on Day 2 of the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, scoring a brilliant century and celebrating with a crowd-pleasing backflip that has taken the cricket world by storm. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s seventh Test hundred helped India strengthen their grip on the match, leaving fans and teammates buzzing with excitement.
Pant walked to the crease on Day 1 after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 101 and stayed unbeaten on 65 by stumps, with India at 359/3. On Day 2, he picked up where he left off, reaching his century in 119 balls with a punchy boundary through midwicket. The Headingley crowd erupted as Pant removed his helmet, raised his bat, and then pulled off a stunning backflip – a move described as classic Pant, full of heart and humor. The celebration was a nod to his teammates and fans who supported him through his recovery from a serious car accident in late 2022, which sidelined him for nearly a year.
This century marked Pant’s fourth against England and his third on English soil, making him the first visiting wicketkeeper to score three Test hundreds in England. He also broke MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper, with his seventh ton surpassing Dhoni’s six. Pant’s knock included 11 fours and two sixes, showcasing his aggressive style while staying composed against England’s bowlers, even as the ball started to reverse swing.
India’s strong position was built on centuries from Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten 127 on his Test captaincy debut. Pant’s partnership with Gill kept England’s bowlers under pressure, with the hosts managing only three wickets in 85 overs by the end of Day 1. Pant’s performance also saw him cross 3,000 Test runs in just 76 innings, making him the second-fastest wicketkeeper to reach the milestone, behind only Australia’s Adam Gilchrist.
The backflip celebration, a first for Pant in Test cricket, reminded fans of his IPL 2025 century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he did a somersault after a 54-ball ton. Social media lit up with clips of the Headingley backflip, with fans calling it “PANTASTIC” and praising his ability to entertain both with his bat and his antics. One post on X captured the mood, saying, “Rishabh Pant reaches his seventh Test hundred – the most by any India wicketkeeper!” Another noted his unique record in England, stating, “No other visiting wicketkeeper has scored more than one century on English soil.”
Pant’s return to form is a big boost for India, especially after a tough Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he averaged just 28.33. With young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel waiting in the wings, Pant’s century and his fearless approach have silenced doubters and set the tone for India’s campaign in this five-Test series.
As India continues their innings, fans are already wondering what Pant will do next – both with his bat and in his celebrations. For now, his century and backflip have given India a commanding lead and a moment to cherish at Headingley.
