Watch: Rishabh Pant celebrates century for India with incredible somersault
Rishabh Pant produced one of the most extraordinary celebrations in cricket history, unfurling a perfect somersault after bringing up his century with a one-handed six off Shoaib Bashir.
As India ground England into the dust at Headingley, Pant produced a typically free-wheeling hundred, his team's third of the innings.
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Pant had signalled his intent on the first day, smacking his second ball down the ground for four and launching a six moments before stumps. He picked up where he left off on the second morning, and particularly got tucked into Bashir. He flicked the spinner's first ball over his shoulder for four, then launched a six into the Western Terrace later in the over.
Minutes later, he launched Bashir to cow corner to move to his seventh Test century, which is the most by an Indian wicketkeeper. He did not connect perfectly, and only had one hand on the bat, but such is his power that it did not matter: the ball still flew for six.
Pant took off his helmet, then gloves, placing them on the floor, before launching into a remarkable somersault, to the amazement of the Headingley crowd, many of whom are supporting India.
India vice-captain Pant is one of the game's great characters, but was so nearly lost to cricket in December 2022 when he was involved in a serious car crash that easily could have killed him. He has fought back to full fitness, and is a captivating, free-wheeling figure who is impossible to predict. Ben Stokes could only laugh when smashed down the ground for four on day one, and England's fielders watched on in awed amazement as he celebrated his magnificent hundred.
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He shared a stand of 209 from 301 balls with captain Shubman Gill, who soon holed out to Bashir for 147, his highest Test score.
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