#IndiaInEngland: A look at debutant Rishabh Pant's journey
What's the story
Rishabh Pant was handed his maiden Test cap by Indian skipper Virat Kohli ahead of the 3rd Test against England at Nottingham on Saturday. He becomes the 291st Indian to represent his nation in the longest format of the game. Earlier, after a decent string of scores in the India A tour of England, he was selected in the 18-man squad. Here's his journey.
Pant
Pant grew his wings in 2016
Pant grew into prominence during the 2016 U-19 World Cup held in Bangladesh. He let his intentions out after notching the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament (18 balls). He followed it up with a scintillating ton against Namibia in the semis. Pant then excelled, for Delhi, in the Ranji Trophy for two consecutive seasons. These performances helped him gain limelight.
Ranji
Pant struck gold in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season
Pant showed his courage in 2016-17 Ranji season. He scored the fastest hundred in First-class match off just 48 balls against Jharkhand. Notably, in the first innings of the same match, he had scored a ton as well. The finest moment came when he hit a 326-ball 308-run knock against Maharashtra. He became the youngest wicket-keeper to hit a triple ton in Ranji history.
Performances
2018 has been a blessing for Pant
The 20-year-old started this year with the 2nd fastest ton in T20 history (32 balls). He smashed an unbeaten 116 off just 38 balls against Himachal Pradesh for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His form in IPL 2018 was stupendous as he hit the highest individual score in the tourney's history (128*) in a match between Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Tests
Pant will need to learn the art of Test cricket
Rishabh will need to learn how to replicate his form with the red ball. The selectors have done the right thing by picking him for the Tests against England after he hit five fifties recently for India A. With Dinesh Karthik's injury, Pant knows if he keeps performing the place could be his in near future. All eyes will be on him at Nottingham.
Adapt
Pant will need to adapt to demands of Test cricket
The red ball is a different game altogether and Pant will have to adapt to the demands of Test cricket. He has 1,744 runs in First-class cricket and a healthy average of 50+. Pant is being groomed as India's future wicket-keeper and is likely to fit in the middle-order. If he has to be Dhoni's true successor then he has big shoes to fill.