Rishabh Pant scripts history, becomes fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 2500 Test runs

PTC News Desk: Rishabh Pant made history by becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to achieve 2500 runs in Test cricket on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand. Pant reached the milestone in just 62 innings, breaking legendary MS Dhoni's record of 69 innings and Farokh Engineer's 82 innings.

The active wicketkeeper-batsman played an important role in India's impressive comeback on Day 4, reaching 344/3 at lunch, trailing New Zealand by just 12 runs. Pant's blistering performance of 53 off 56 balls helped India recover from an early wobble, combining Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his first Test hundred.

Fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach 2500 Test runs (in innings)

62 - Rishabh Pant

69 - MS Dhoni

82 - Farokh Engineer

Resuming the day at 231/3, India, still 125 runs down, looked to Pant and Sarfaraz to help them get closer to New Zealand's first-innings total of 469. Despite missing Day 3 due to a knee injury sustained during keeping, Pant showed no signs of discomfort at the crease. He began cautiously, but quickly unleashed his offensive prowess, slamming left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel for two sixes in short succession, followed by a series of strong drives and elegant sweeps.

Pant scored his 12th Test fifty in just 55 balls with a magnificent cover drive off Glenn Phillips, showing his aggressive yet controlled approach. His combination with Sarfaraz, worth 113 runs in just 22 overs, was critical to India's attempt to beat New Zealand's total. Sarfaraz, playing in only his sixth Test, was the session's hero, scoring a stunning century, but Pant's consistent presence at the other end was equally important.

The 26-year-old Pant's fast rise in the Test format has been a hot topic in Indian cricket. Since his debut in 2018, he has swiftly established himself as a match-winner, especially in international tournaments, with memorable innings in Australia and England. His aggressive batting approach, combined with ever-improving glovework behind the stumps, led to comparisons to Dhoni, but Pant has repeatedly left his own mark.