Rishabh Pant is simply awesome: Sachin Tendulkar leads praise for India star after Birmingham Test masterclass

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar led the praise for Risabh Pant who put on a stunning counter-attacking show on Day 1 of the rescheduled 5th Test between England and India at Edgbaston on Friday, July 1. Pant delighted the cricket world with a 146 off just 111 balls as he rescued India from 98 for 5 to help them finish with 338 for 7 at Stumps

Rishabh Pant hit 4 sixes and 20 boundaries as he brought up his 5th Test hundred, putting up a 222-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the 6th wicket. Pant got out just before the close of play to Joe Root while Jadeja remained unbeaten on 83. It was another stunning counter-attacking knock from Pant who has made it a habit to wow the cricket fraternity with his high-value innings under pressure.

England vs India, Birmingham Test Day 1 Highlights

Pant took the attack to the England bowlers, coming down the pitch and hitting James Anderson, who had his tail up after having picked up 3 wickets in the morning. He smashed left-arm spinner Jack Leach into the stands with stunning regularity.

Simply awesome @RishabhPant17!
Well done.

Crucial innings by @imjadeja. Rotated the strike well and played some amazing shots.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/9ACuhVlGTT

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 1, 2022

And the sword is out, Rajput boy Jadeja proving why he is one of the best all rounders India ever had in limited overs and test cricket. Go champ go! #EngvsInd pic.twitter.com/Y6JqRBTZlg

— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) July 1, 2022

When in trouble, call the Spiderman!

What a fierce knock by rockstar Rishabh Pant against a quality english bowling unit under such circumstances. Best way to fight a fire is to fight it with the fire. #EngVsInd pic.twitter.com/q2mPeqTWyi

— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) July 1, 2022

Rain delayed the start of the second session by an hour and England were all over India soon after play resumed, reducing the visitors to 98 for five.

While James Anderson did the damaged in the morning, Matthew Potts got the prized wicket of an out of form Virat Kohli (11) and a shaky Hanuma Vihari (20) post lunch to put England on top.

Vihari was the first to go after Potts trapped him in front of the stumps with a full ball that darted back sharply. In his following over, Potts sent back Kohli, who dragged one on to his stumps in his half-hearted attempt to leave the ball.

The former India skipper had looked quite assured in the middle until he was caught in two minds while leaving the ball.

India were reeling at 98 for 5 but Pant and Jadeja helped turn it around, putting India firmly on top.