IND vs BAN: Tamim Iqbal backs Rishabh Pant to score most test hundreds as wicket-keeper

Rishabh Pant now has joint-most hundreds by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in tests.

Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal has predicted that Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant will end his career with the most centuries in test cricket as a wicket-keeper batter.

Pant, who survived a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, made his comeback to test cricket after a 634-day gap during the ongoing test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai.

Playing his first test after over 20 months, Pant slammed his sixth test century. In India’s second innings, the wicket-keeper batter played a stunning knock, where he scored 109 runs off 128 deliveries, including 13 fours and four maximums.

With this century, Pant equalled the record of legendary keeper-batter MS Dhoni for hitting the most test centuries by an Indian wicket-keeper.

Most centuries by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in test cricket:

• MS Dhoni: 6
• Rishabh Pant: 6
• Wriddhiman Saha: 3

Pant will have the most hundreds as a wicket-keeper: Tamim Iqbal

Following Pant’s hundred in the Chennai test, former Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, who is currently in India to commentate for the bilateral series, has backed the Indian wicket-keeper to break Adam Gilchrist’s record for most test hundreds by a wicket-keeper in test cricket.

Australian legend Adam Gilchrist slammed the most test centuries as a designated wicket-keeper. In 96 tests, Gilchrist made 17 hundreds in the longest format.

Meanwhile, Pant has made six test centuries in 34 matches till now. The left-handed batter has scored 2419 runs at a healthy average of 44.79. He needs 12 more centuries to surpass Gilchrist’s record.

“I can assure you he will have the most hundreds as a wicket-keeper,” said Iqbal on Sports18 during the post-tea show on day 3 of the India vs Bangladesh first test in Chennai.

What happened on day 3 of the India vs Bangladesh first test?

On day 3 of the ongoing test, India declared their second innings at 287/4. Centuries from Pant and Shubman Gill helped India set a huge target of 515 runs for the visitors.

Following India’s declaration, Bangladesh scored 158/4 before bad light forced early stumps on day 3 in Chennai. The visitors need 357 runs more to win the match, while the hosts need six wickets to win.

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