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, “Suja diya yaar maar maar ke, ek hi jagah maare ja raha hai” — roughly translating to, “He’s made me swollen, man, just by hitting the same spot again and again!”
The comment, directed at partner Ravindra Jadeja, came right after an aggressive phase of his innings.
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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, Pant’s 134 (off 178 balls) was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring fearless strokeplay and tactical brilliance.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar later praised Pant’s unusual “falling paddle sweep”, calling it “intentional and extremely clever”.
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 spinner’s rhythm.
Gill and Pant’s 209-run stand was the cornerstone of India’s imposing 471-run total, following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent 101. Gill’s composed 147 and Pant’s flamboyant ton put England’s 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 Pope’s gritty unbeaten 100 kept England in the game at 209/3.
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