"Since he is a rare guy, he will make rare records" - Ajay Jadeja on Rishabh Pant having more 90s than 100s after IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja reckons Rishabh Pant might be disappointed after narrowly missing yet another century in the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru. He noted that the special player now has the unique record of scoring more 90s than hundreds.
Pant smashed 99 runs off 105 deliveries in India's second-innings total of 462. However, his attacking knock went in vain as the hosts lost the match by eight wickets on Sunday, October 20.
Reviewing the game on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja was asked about his thoughts on Pant's knock, especially since he was once again dismissed in the 90s.
"You can only appreciate Rishabh's knock. His best comes out whenever it is required, when everyone is in trouble, or when the circumstances are difficult. He used to say that he didn't bother about the nineties but when he came last time on our show, he said he has started paying attention to hundreds," he responded.
"Don't know what goes on in his mind, when Rohit Sharma, who stays with him throughout the day, couldn't understand. However, it must be pinching. He now has fewer centuries and has gotten out in the nineties more times. It's interesting. It's a rare record. Since he is a rare guy, he will make rare records," the former India captain added.
Rishabh Pant has struck six centuries and has been dismissed in the 90s seven times in Tests. He would have surpassed MS Dhoni for the most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter had he converted any of his 90s into a hundred.
"It doesn't seem like it was due to mistakes that can happen due to nervousness" - Ajay Jadeja on Rishabh Pant's dismissal
![Rishabh Pant inside-edged a William O'Rourke delivery onto his stumps. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/0a6d1-17294301776336-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Ajay Jadeja noted that Rishabh Pant's dismissal on 99 in the Bengaluru Test cannot be attributed to nervousness.
"If you see this dismissal, it doesn't seem like it was due to mistakes that can happen due to nervousness. Yes, there was a mistake in execution, the balance wasn't there because when you get out, something lacking is found," he said.
"However, I doubt he becomes nervous, and I can particularly say that about this innings. It didn't seem like he was under the pressure of a century, from whichever angle you might see," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Pant has amassed 2551 runs at an average of 44.75 in 36 Tests. He has been dismissed in the 90s twice against the West Indies and once each against Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and New Zealand.