Rishabh Pant smashes 89-ball century at Edgbaston in 2022

Rishabh Pant turned Edgbaston green on the opening day of the 2022 India tour of England, smashing an 89-ball century that became the fastest by an Indian wicketkeeper in England.

On the first afternoon in Birmingham, Pant raced to three figures off 89 deliveries, his hundred sealed with a sprint and a dive into the crease. The knock included eight fours and two sixes, lifting India to 285 for eight at stumps on June 18 after rain halted play.

Pant’s innings defied convention from ball one. He charged James Anderson over his head, reverse-scooped over the slips, and lofted Jack Leach for six despite losing his footing and falling on his back. At 64 for three, he counterattacked to steady the ship before dragging England’s plans into chaos.

The hundred marked Pant’s third-fastest by a visiting batter in England and underlined why Virat Kohli refuses to “assess” his performances after Headingley. Rohit Sharma urged fans to “keep your eyes away” from Pant during tough spells, but at Edgbaston he forced everyone to look.

His methods against spin mirrored past brilliance: he waited back, then struck through covers when the chance arose. Against the seamers, he targeted the short ball, even when Anderson switched angles mid-over. Stokes’ four-slip cordon at the start of the day collapsed under Pant’s assault.

Pant’s innings wasn’t just about runs. It was about disruption. When India wobbled at 64/3, he seized control, manufacturing runs from split-second indecision in the field. The gloomy weather and Anderson’s swing mattered little to a batter intent on playing his own game.

He ended the day unbeaten on 100 off 117, his hundred the only one of the session. The rest of the team managed just 182 runs in reply, but Pant’s pyrotechnics ensured the spotlight stayed fixed on him.

Pant’s century set the tone for a Test that would see India post 285/8 before rain washed out the final session. His form at No. 5-where he feels most comfortable-continues to deliver special moments, even when the rest of the side struggles.

The Edgbaston showdown proved once more that Pant thrives when left to his own devices. If the Headingley stinker taught any lesson, it’s that judging Pant by a single Test is a mistake. His Edgbaston hundred reminded everyone why.