Rishabh Pant's Composed Batting, Witty Retort Shuts Down Harry Brook's Sledge in Edgbaston Test

Sunday - 06/07/2025 03:36

During the Edgbaston Test, England's Harry Brook attempted to unsettle Rishabh Pant with playful sledging, questioning his fastest century. Pant, unfazed, responded calmly, focusing on his game. He then scored a crucial 65 off 58 balls, contributing to a significant partnership with Shubman Gill, who made 161.

Rishabh Pant celebrates his half-century against England, 2025

India's Rishabh Pant celebrates after scoring fifty runs day four of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

During the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, Rishabh Pant showcased his resilience not just with the bat but also with his calm demeanor, effectively shutting down England's Harry Brook's attempts at sledging.

As Pant accelerated towards his half-century, Brook tried to unsettle him with a provocative question: "What’s your fastest hundred?". The intent was clear – to push Pant into playing reckless shots.

Pant, however, remained unfazed. He responded calmly, stating his fastest Test century took "maybe 80–90 minutes", referring to the measured pace of his previous milestones.

Brook, undeterred, then brought up his own IPL record, boasting, "The fastest hundred I’ve hit was in 55 balls—you could do that today". This was a clear attempt to goad Pant into abandoning his game plan.

But Pant refused to take the bait. With a composed smile, he replied, “It’s okay. I’m not too greedy for records. If it happens, it happens," effectively silencing Brook's sledging with quiet confidence.

After scoring 25 in the first innings, Pant delivered an entertaining, counter-attacking and crucial 65 in 58 balls, with eight fours and three sixes.

Now in 28 SENA Tests, Pant has scored 2,023 runs at an average of 41.28, with six centuries and six fifties in 52 innings and a best score of 159*.

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In this series, Pant is the second-highest run-getter, with 342 runs in four innings at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of 81.81, with two centuries and a fifty. His best score is 134.

Pant made a stroke-filled 65 off 58 balls with eight fours and three sixes and put on 110 runs for the fourth wicket with Gill.

Gill followed up his splendid 269 in the first innings with another massive knock of 161, which came off 162 balls with 13 fours and eight sixes.

Jadeja made 69 not out (118 balls, five fours and one six) while adding another 175 runs in a brisk partnership for the fifth wicket with the Indian skipper.

India, who resumed the fourth day’s play at 64 for one, had lost KL Rahul (55) and Karun Nair (26) in the first session.