Rishabh Pant Shuts Down Harry Brook's Sledge with Composed Reply in Second Test

Pant's Retort: Wicket-keeper Batsman Silences Brook's Sledge with Composed Reply

Rishabh Pant displayed resilience and composure on Saturday, effectively silencing Harry Brook's attempts at sledging during the second Test match at Edgbaston. England found themselves under pressure due to India's strong batting performance in the second innings, prompting Brook to try and disrupt Pant's rhythm with some verbal tactics.

During Pant's quickfire half-century, Brook engaged him in a conversation between deliveries, posing the question, "What's your fastest hundred?". This was a clear attempt to unsettle Pant and perhaps induce a reckless shot.

Pant, however, remained unfazed. He calmly responded, "In Test cricket, maybe 80–90 minutes," referring to the relatively measured pace of his previous centuries.

Brook pressed further, bringing up his own impressive record in the IPL, boasting, "The fastest hundred I’ve hit was in 55 balls—you could do that today." This was a blatant attempt to goad Pant into playing rashly.

But Pant refused to take the bait. With a composed smile, he shut down the sledging, replying, “It’s okay. I’m not too greedy for records. If it happens, it happens.”

Pant's performance in the match spoke volumes. After scoring 25 in the first innings, he delivered an entertaining and crucial 65 off just 58 balls, including eight fours and three sixes.

Currently, Pant has an impressive record in 28 SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) Tests, accumulating 2,023 runs at an average of 41.28. This includes six centuries and six fifties in 52 innings, with a best score of 159*.

In this series, Pant stands out as the second-highest run-scorer, having amassed 342 runs in four innings at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of 81.81. He has scored two centuries and one fifty, with a best score of 134.

During the innings, Pant forged a crucial 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Gill, who also contributed significantly.

Gill followed up his remarkable 269 in the first innings with another substantial knock of 161, scored off 162 balls and including 13 fours and eight sixes.

Jadeja remained unbeaten on 69 (118 balls, five fours and one six), further bolstering India's score with a brisk 175-run partnership for the fifth wicket with the Indian skipper.

India, resuming the fourth day's play at 64 for one, had previously lost KL Rahul (55) and Karun Nair (26) in the first session.