India’s Rishabh Pant (AP Photo/Jon Super, file) NEW DELHI: Team India batter Rishabh Pant added another glittering milestone to his already eventful Test career, overtaking Virender Sehwag to become India’s all-time leader in Test sixes. Pant, who began the innings tied with Sehwag on 90 sixes, moved past the former opener with a trademark blow, skipping down the track to Keshav Maharaj and launching him over mid-off for a towering six.
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The moment summed up Pant in a nutshell: bold, instinctive, and unstoppable. When he nudged a single off the next delivery, he moved to 91 sixes, now the most ever by an Indian in Test cricket, ahead of Sehwag (90), Rohit Sharma (88), Ravindra Jadeja (80), and MS Dhoni (78).At the end of 38 overs, India reached 105 for 2, showing solid progress after bowling out South Africa on Day 1. Pant’s record-breaking strike came at a crucial phase, helping India maintain momentum in their reply.On Day 1, India dominated the opening Test’s first session and beyond, with Jasprit Bumrah producing a masterclass in seam bowling. The pace ace claimed 5 for 27, his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests, as South Africa were bundled out for just 159 in 55 overs at the Eden Gardens.South Africa, already hampered by Kagiso Rabada’s late withdrawal due to a rib injury, struggled to build partnerships. After a steady 57-run opening stand between Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, the innings unraveled quickly. Bumrah removed both openers in a devastating post-tea burst, while Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets) and Mohammed Siraj (2 wickets) further tightened the screws.India began their chase confidently but lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 12, bowled by Marco Jansen. KL Rahul and Washington Sundar negotiated the fading light safely before stumps, with India trailing by 122 runs but firmly in control.
