Rishabh Pant's Edgbaston Blitz: India Star Breaks SENA Record, Surpasses 2,000 Test Runs

Rishabh Pant continues to redefine wicket-keeping brilliance, achieving a significant milestone during the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston. The dynamic batter has become the first Asian wicketkeeper to surpass 2,000 Test runs in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), solidifying his reputation as a game-changing player.

This landmark was reached during his aggressive second-innings knock of 65, crafted from just 58 deliveries. His innings was punctuated with eight boundaries and three towering sixes, helping India build a formidable lead. Although he scored a modest 25 in the first innings, Pant has consistently proven his mettle in high-pressure overseas encounters.

His current SENA Test record now stands at 2,023 runs from 28 matches, averaging an impressive 41.28. This includes six centuries and six half-centuries, with a highest score of 159 not out.

Across the ongoing series against England, Pant has been a standout performer for India, accumulating 342 runs in four innings at a remarkable average of 85.50 and a blistering strike rate of 81.81. His contributions include two centuries and one half-century, with a highest score of 134.

Furthermore, Pant etched his name in the record books by surpassing Ben Stokes for the most sixes by a visiting batter in Tests in England. He now holds the record with 24 sixes, eclipsing Stokes’ previous mark of 21 against South Africa.

His explosive batting has been integral to India’s collective performance, contributing to a total of 1,014 runs at Edgbaston. This marks India’s highest-ever aggregate in a Test match, surpassing the 916 scored against Australia at the SCG in 2004. It also represents only the sixth instance of a team amassing over 1,000 runs in a single Test match.