"He will have the most hundreds as a wicketkeeper" - Tamim Iqbal's bold prediction for Rishabh Pant during IND vs BAN 1st Test 2024
Bangladesh batter Tamim Iqbal has boldly precited that India's Rishabh Pant will score the most centuries by a wicket-keeper at the end of his career. Pant scored a magnificent 109 off 128 deliveries in the second innings of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.
It was his sixth Test hundred, drawing him level with former wicket-keeper MS Dhoni. Meanwhile, former Australian Adam Gilchrist holds the record for most Test centuries by a wicket-keeper with 17.
During a conversation about Pant's incredible century at Tea on Day 3, Tamim said:
"I can assure you he will have the most hundreds as a wicketkeeper."
Another former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel agreed and predicted 20 centuries for Pant.
"I can see him scoring more than 20 hundreds," said Parthiv.
Pant missed almost 15 months of action with multiple injuries due to his horrific car accident in December 2022. However, only 26, the southpaw has already amassed 2,419 Test runs with six tons in 34 matches.
Gilchrist finished his Test career with 5,570 runs at an average of almost 48 with 17 centuries in 96 games.
Rishabh Pant's blistering knock has India on the brink of victory
Coming to the match in focus, Rishabh Pant's incredible century in the second innings propelled India to a commanding position on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh.
After a challenging first innings saw the hosts recover from 144/6 to post a formidable 376, Bangladesh responded with a dismal 149 in their first essay.
With a massive 227-run lead, Team India took complete control after centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to declare their second innings at 287/4. Chasing 515 for an improbable win, the visitors produced a better showing with the bat to begin 62/0.
However, several batters threw away solid starts to leave them reeling at 158/4 at stumps on Day 3. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has fought valiantly and is batting on 51* with the veteran Shakib Al Hasan for company on 5*.
Bangladesh still needs a daunting 357 runs to pull off a miraculous victory in the first of two Tests with two days remaining.