Rishabh Pant marked his return to Test cricket with a scintillating century as India took control of the series opener against Bangladesh in Chennai on Saturday.
Cricket seemed a long way away for Pant after he was involved in a serious car crash in 2022. But he made a sooner-than-expected return to the national team as the first-choice keeper in white and red-ball cricket.
Pant showed why he is rated so highly by the team management as the left-handed batsman smashed Bangladesh bowlers to every corner of the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Days 3 of the first Test. He took a double off Shakib Al Hasan to reach his sixth Test century.
The left-hander finally fell caught and bowled to Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 109 – a 128-ball knock that included 13 fours and four sixes.
Pant put on 167 runs with Shubman Gill in a match dominated by the hosts after Ravichandran Ashwin's 113 in the first innings.
Gill struck an unbeaten 119 which eased some of the pressure on him after his failure in the first innings. He played with positive intent, smashing off-spinner Miraz for two sixes in one over to reach his fifty.
The right-hander reached his fifth Test hundred with the help of 10 fours and four sixes.
The day, however, belonged to Pant who has impressed since his return to elite cricket last year and has kept up form across formats, including India's T20 World Cup triumph in June.
Pant termed his comeback to the game “nothing short of a miracle” after the 2022 crash, when his Mercedes rammed into a barrier, flipped and caught fire near New Delhi.
Left with a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle and abrasions to his back, Pant fought back after an intensive rehabilitation programme to lead Delhi Capitals during this year's Indian Premier League season.
Pant and Gill's tons allowed India to declare their second innings on 287-4, setting a target of 515.
Bangladesh made a cautious start to the chase with two and a half days remaining in the Test. Openers Zakir Hasan (33) and Shadman Islam (35) added 62 for the first wicket before Jasprit Bumrah had the former caught acrobatically by Yashasvi Jaiswal at wide slip.
Off-spinner Ashwin, who had gone wicketless in the first innings, then put India on top by snaring three victims.
Gill and KL Rahul took diving catches to dismiss Shadman and Mushfiqur Rahim, respectively, while Mominul Haque lost his stump to the veteran off-spinner.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (51) and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (five) were at the crease with Bangladesh on 158-4 when early stumps was called due to bad light.
It is turning out to be an unforgettable Test for Ashwin in front of his home crowd. The 38-year-old is unlikely to play many more Tests in Chennai and is enjoying every moment of it.
“As a cricketer, the pride is in the performance,” Ashwin had said earlier. “I do enjoy and embrace pressure.
“As cricketers, we fail more than we succeed. It's about using the experience from the past to be able to negotiate high tide waters.”
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km