Delhi: The two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka in Galle is bringing a different kind of challenge especially for Team India's wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Although the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman has overcome some of the toughest challenges in Test cricket in the past, especially outside India, this time he can create a record that no Indian Test wicketkeeper has ever faced before. No Indian wicketkeeper has scored 100 in Sri Lanka and Pant, playing Test for the first time in Sri Lanka, is a strong contender to start this record.
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Now there are 4 such Test countries where no Indian wicketkeeper has scored Test 100 and along with Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are also in this list. Therefore, every eye is now on Pant's record as a wicketkeeper-batsman. If fit, Pant will be India's wicketkeeper in both the Tests.
Even if we forget this score of 100 for some time, this Sri Lanka tour is more important for Pant than any other series abroad. A Test 100 in Sri Lanka would give a new boost to his Test career and once again proof of the belief that if he is given the freedom to play his natural game, he is one of the best. Indian wicketkeepers have scored Test 100 in England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan.
Talking about Pant, his scores of 134 and 118 runs in two innings against England at Headingley 2025 are remembered till date and he became only the second wicketkeeper after Zimbabwe's Andy Flower to score 100 in both the innings of Test cricket. He has played some other good innings outside India. Therefore, the challenge posed by Sri Lanka is not such for Pant that he cannot complete it.
By the way, while talking about Indian wicketkeeper's 100 in Sri Lanka, it is important to mention KL Rahul. This is the story of his 100 made in Colombo in 2015. Then Rahul scored 108 runs in the first innings of the third Test at P Sara Oval. This 100 was never counted among the wicketkeeper's 100, whereas many experts believe that it should be counted among the wicketkeeper's 100 because Wriddhiman Saha got injured during the Test and Rahul took the wicketkeeping duty in his place. Later, Rahul also took a brilliant catch of Angelo Mathews.
Pant can now clearly make the record of 100 for wicketkeeper-batsman. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta says that Pant should play his natural game and not succumb to the pressure of expectations. Pant's aggressive style of batting is a part of his cricket. The Sri Lanka tour is special for Pant and there is pressure on him to control his stroke but there is also a fear that while trying to play under pressure, he may become overly cautious. He has been stripped of the vice-captaincy in Tests and Dhruv Jurel is also giving him competition. Therefore, if Pant himself needs a big score, then his eyes will definitely be on 100.
Pant is no ordinary batsman as a Test batsman. Current record: 3557 runs in 50 Tests at an average of 43+, including 8 Test 100s, but the most special is the amazing strike rate of 74.05. Even a top batsman would be proud of this strike rate. If we look at the record of batsmen who have scored at least 3000 runs in Tests, then only Adam Gilchrist has a better strike rate than Pant at 81.95. Pant never changed his batting style by suppressing or keeping the match situation in mind. Among the wicketkeepers who have scored at least 3000 runs, MS Dhoni is second only to Pant in strike rate and his strike rate is not even 60.
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Overall also, among Indian batsmen (who have at least 1000 runs to their name), only Virender Sehwag (82.19) and Kapil Dev (80.48) have a better strike rate than Pant. If we compare these two, Pant's record proves to be even better. The Sri Lanka tour is another frontier that Pant has to cross.