Daijiworld Media Network – London

London, Jun 27: Rishabh Pant's sensational centuries in both innings of the opening Test against England at Headingley may not have secured India a win, but they won him rich praise from some of England’s most celebrated former cricketers.

Despite India’s five-wicket defeat, Pant’s fearless and flamboyant batting style was the undeniable highlight of the match. His audacious shot-making, coupled with gritty determination, left fans and pundits alike in awe.

“There’s a lot of science in that madness,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan on the Stick to Cricket show. “Even Ben Stokes was admiring him when he was batting.”

Vaughan compared Pant’s impact on Test cricket to legendary wicketkeeper-batters. “Adam Gilchrist for me is the best wicketkeeper-batter, but Pant has set a new trend. MS Dhoni was brilliant in white-ball cricket, but Pant’s Test numbers are far more impressive than his white-ball stats,” he noted.

Joining the chorus of admiration were Alastair Cook and David Lloyd, who lauded Pant’s influence not just with the bat, but also his energy and banter on the field. Former spinner Phil Tufnell had the panel in splits as he imitated Pant’s now-famous ramp shot, dubbing it the “roly-poly ramp shot” and joking, “It’s like tossing a pancake when he hits that.”

Cook, however, focused on Pant’s competitive edge. “That smile doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win,” he said. “You don’t score two centuries in a Test and not care. He could’ve sat back after the first ton, but he went all in again.”

India’s loss came despite Pant’s heroics, with a struggling lower-middle order and an inconsistent bowling unit—except for Jasprit Bumrah—failing to support the fight.

The two teams will face off again in the second Test of the series starting July 2.