3 feats Rishabh Pant can accomplish in NZ Test series
What's the story
After weeks of uncertainty over his fitness, Rishabh Pant has left for New Zealand. The wicketkeeper-batter will join the Indian Test squad in Wellington on Friday. The move comes ahead of the two-match series, starting November 19. He was recovering from a side strain and has been given fitness clearance by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical staff. On this note, we look at three feats he can accomplish in the upcoming series.
#1
Complete a century across all SENA countries
Pant has already scored four Test centuries in England, and one each in South Africa and Australia.
Scoring a maiden Test hundred in New Zealand would complete a century in every SENA nation for the dasher.
The southpaw's current best score across four innings in the nation is 25.
As per Cricinfo, no Indian batter has even registered an 80-plus score as a designated keeper on NZ soil (Tests).
#2
Pant set to overtake McCullum
Earlier this year, Pant became just the fourth batter to complete 100 Test sixes.
With 102 big hits, the Indian ace is currently third in terms of the batter with the most maximums.
He is just six short of displacing former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (107) at the second spot.
England's Ben Stokes tops the list with 138 sixes.
#3
Pant to break this Gilchrist record
As of now, Pant has scored 2,489 runs from 35 away Tests (the opposition's home) at an average of 42.18.
His tally includes six tons and 11 half-centuries.
The left-handed batter needs just 24 runs to go past Australia's Adam Gilchrist to become the designated keeper with the most runs in away Tests.
The latter finished his career with 2,512 runs in away Tests at 50.24.