Rishabh Pant officially stepped out of MS Dhoni’s towering shadow on Saturday as he slammed his seventh Test century, becoming the Indian wicketkeeper with the most hundreds in Test cricket. The landmark knock came in the opening Test of the five-match series against England at Headingley, and marked a new era in India’s long tradition of wicketkeeper-batters.
Pant’s latest ton took him past MS Dhoni’s tally of six Test centuries, a record that had remained untouched since the former India skipper retired from the longest format. Dhoni, known for his grit and leadership, had long set the benchmark for Indian wicketkeepers. But with this century, Pant now leads the charts, underlining his place among India’s finest red-ball cricketers.
Pant’s Century Marks a Shift in Wicketkeeping Legacy
While Dhoni’s six centuries came over a long and celebrated career, Pant has notched up seven in just a few years, all while batting with flair, confidence, and maturity beyond his age. His latest hundred was also his third in England, making him the only visiting wicketkeeper in Test history to achieve that feat in the country.
The updated list of Indian wicketkeepers with most Test centuries now reads:
- Rishabh Pant – 7
- MS Dhoni – 6
- Wriddhiman Saha – 3
Pant’s emergence is a reminder of the way Indian cricketing priorities have changed. From Kiran More and Nayan Mongia, glovesmen almost by definition, to Dhoni, who provided balance and leadership, and now to Pant an attacking batter who can turn matches around on his own the keeper’s role has changed immensely.
Domination in England Contributes to Pant’s aura
This century was also Pant’s third in England, after previous ones in 2018 and 2022. No other foreign visiting wicketkeeper has hit more than a century in England. The only two others to have hit three Test hundreds outside their homeland are Les Ames (in the West Indies) and Andy Flower (in India).
Pant’s dominance in England is particularly impressive considering the conditions of seaming and swing-friendly pitches. His aggressive strokeplay, particularly against pace and spin both, has enabled him to thrive in conditions where most overseas batsmen find it challenging.
Rishabh Pant Among the Game’s Elite
Globally, Pant is gradually ascending the list of all-time great wicketkeeper-batters. The top wicketkeepers with the most Test centuries are headed by:
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 17
- Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 12
- Les Ames (England) – 8
- Rishabh Pant / AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 7
To be mentioned alongside the likes of AB de Villiers and Les Ames is a testament to Pant’s influence, particularly in light of his age and the fact that his prime years are still likely to come.
