Twitter erupts as Rishabh Pant becomes first Indian wicketkeeper to hit a century in South Africa

[Brexiter]

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant scripted history on Day 3 of the ongoing third Test against South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town. Pant stood like a rock against a top-quality bowling attack and smashed an incredible century.

With the ton, Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit a hundred in the rainbow nation. Before him, the record for the highest individual score by an Indian wicketkeeper in South Africa belonged to former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who had scored 90 in Centurion in 2010/11.

Further, It was Pant’s fourth Test century and third in overseas. The left-handed batter had earlier smashed centuries in England and Australia as well.

Pant played exceptionally well, taking 133 balls to get to the milestone despite wickets continuing to tumble at the other end. He remained unbeaten on 100 as India were bowled out for 198 in their second innings, giving Proteas a target of 212 runs.

“Even I’m standing to applaud one of the best ever knocks,” said Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar in the comm box after Pant reached the triple-figure mark.

Test 100s by Indian wicketkeepers outside Asia:

• 118 – Vijay Manjrekar v West Indies, Kingston 1952/53
• 115* – Ajay Ratra v West Indies, St John’s 2002
• 104 – Wriddhiman Saha v West Indies, Gros Islet 2016
• 114 – Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval 2018
• 159* – Rishabh Pant v Australia, Sydney 2018/19
• 100* – Rishabh Pant v South Africa, Cape Town 2021/22

Here is how Twitter reacted:​

For test cricket he is giving totally a different kind of flavour. What an entertaining ? Top knock #RishabhPant champion stuff ?? #SAvIND #TeamIndia

— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) January 13, 2022

Full of heart and courage! What an innings @RishabhPant17 ? Well done my bro ? pic.twitter.com/nFNz3mVYx2

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 13, 2022

Well played @RishabhPant17 best ever you beauty ?? pic.twitter.com/MJZomGY2Zq

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) January 13, 2022

He has scored Test tons in Australia and England before and this one in Cape Town is right up there with one of the best counter- attacking innings one would ever see. Has kept India in the game. Take a bow, #RishabhPant . pic.twitter.com/Rfo8C3ZBgS

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 13, 2022

This is a very high quality ? under tremendous pressure by #pant . But, match-winners play their best when team needs it most. #INDvsSAF #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/RVEtISN5pb

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) January 13, 2022

What an innings from @RishabhPant17 ???? #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/BOj1P8o6M0

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 13, 2022

Highest Test scores by an Indian keeper in SENA countries
– South Africa: Rishabh Pant 100* +
– England: Rishabh Pant 114 #
– New Zealand: Syed Kirmani 78
– Australia: Rishabh Pant 159* +

+ highest by an Asian
# second highest by an Asian#IndvsSAF #IndvsSA #SAvIND #INDvsSA

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 13, 2022

A brilliant innings from @RishabhPant17 as he brings up his 4th Test ?.#SAvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/eo1iTysemP

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 13, 2022

You don’t necessarily have to decode his game so long as @RishabhPant17 can set up/win India big Test matches #RishabhPant #INDvsSA

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 13, 2022

Take a bow @RishabhPant17 !
??#INDvsSAF #SAvIND #pant

— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) January 13, 2022

Well played, RISHABH PANT #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/AKwMB6gxEe

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 13, 2022

RISHABH PANT CENTURY! ? He’s played a damn great innings! Rising to the occasion when his team needs him. And how fun is it watching him bat! An absolute joy. Very exciting. Well played!! ?? #SAvIND

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 13, 2022

Big message for Pant here. If he gives himself time, he can be an extraordinary batter. This is another special innings.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2022

The Superhero without a cape in town! ?️?#SAvIND #WhistlePodu ??

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P?du Whistle P?du! (@ChennaiIPL) January 13, 2022

Test 100s by Indian WKs outside Asia

West Indies: Vijay Manjrekar, Ajay Ratra & Saha

RISHABH PANT
England ???????
Australia ??
South Africa ??#SAvIND

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) January 13, 2022

Rishabh Pant has a Test ton in England, Australia & South Africa. Has 4 tons in 4 different countries: England, Australia, India & South Africa. 1st Indian wicketkeeper to hit a Test ton in SA. Only the 2nd Indian wk to hit a Test ton v SA

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 13, 2022

This is one of the most outstanding hundreds we will see. @RishabhPant17 brilliant. #IndvSA

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 13, 2022

Century for Pant ?

What a knock this has been! It's his fourth in Test cricket, and third overseas ?

Watch #SAvIND live on https://t.co/CPDKNxpgZ3 (in select regions)#WTC23 | https://t.co/Wbb1FE2mW1 pic.twitter.com/uYCFRWnZCr

— ICC (@ICC) January 13, 2022

I thought, after the Gabba, that Pant would get a bit of freedom to develop without being criticised after every short run of poor form. Seemingly that unbelievable knock wasn’t enough – he has to play one every year.

Luckily, Pant seems to be capable of just that. #SAvIND

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) January 13, 2022

Pant defended the good balls for a period of time and took his chances.

One of his finest.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) January 13, 2022

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