India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant carved out a historic milestone with a standout performance in the opening Test against England at Leeds.
Pant, known for his fearless batting and unorthodox style, climbed to a career-best 7th spot in the latest ICC Test rankings for batters a feat that not even MS Dhoni, one of India’s greatest captains and keepers, achieved in his Test career.
Pant’s rise in the rankings follows his twin centuries a masterful 134 in the first innings and a commanding 118 in the second which stood out as the highlight of India's batting effort in a thrilling match that ultimately saw England chase down 371 for a five-wicket win.
Spidey is back, Rishabh Pant in whites is diff breed 🦁 pic.twitter.com/Iyqo2vAvg3
— Ankur (@flick_class) June 21, 2025
With these knocks, Pant became only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a single match, a rare and prestigious achievement in the format’s long-standing history. His performance not only showcased his ability to take responsibility under pressure but also reinforced his stature as one of the most impactful batters in red-ball cricket today.
Despite India’s loss, Pant’s heroic effort with the bat has been widely applauded, and his rise in the Test rankings reflects his consistency and influence at the highest level. Gaining one spot to move into seventh, Pant is now the highest-ranked Indian wicketkeeper-batter in ICC Test history eclipsing even Dhoni's best Test ranking during his playing days.
With the series still alive and the second Test set to begin in Birmingham on July 2, all eyes will be on Pant to continue this exceptional form and lead India’s fightback.