Rishabh Pant creates history on Test debut by getting off the mark with a six

Rishabh Pant creates history on Test debut by getting off the mark with a six on the second ball of his debut Test Innings.

Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant became the first Indian batsman to get off the mark in Test cricket with a six on Saturday.

Pant, who made his Test debut in the third Test of the five-match series at Trent Bridge, hit the leg-spinner Adil Rashid for a straight six on only his second ball of the innings to open his account in Test cricket.

Pant became the 12th batsman in the history of cricket to achieve this feat following players like

Eric Freeman (Australia in 1968), Carlisle Best (West Indies, 1986), Keith Dabengwa (Zimbabwe, 2005), Dale Richards (West Indies, 2009), Shafiul Islam (Bangladesh, 2010), Jahurul Islam (Bangladesh, 2010), Al-Amin Hossain (Bangladesh, 2014), Mark Craig (New Zealand, 2014), Dhananjaya De Silva (Sri Lanka, 2016), Kamrul Islam Rabbi (Bangladesh, 2016) and Sunil Ambris (West Indies, 2017).

Australia’s Eric Freeman was the first player to achieve this feat when he hit a six off Indian bowler, Erapalli Prasanna on the second ball of his Test career at the Gabba in 1968.

New Zealand’s Mark Craig registered his name in the history books by setting a unique record. Craig smashed the first ball that he faced in Test cricket for a six which was also the first ball of his International career in the year 2014 off the bowling of West Indies spinner, Suliemann Benn.

Rishabh Pant, who became the 291st Test player for India, was selected in the Indian side in place of Dinesh Karthik. He walked into bat after the Indian skipper was dismissed on 97.

Pant, who is known for his fearless batting style, was facing only his second delivery in Test cricket, when he read Rashid’s googly, stepped down the track and smashed him for a six down the ground.

The Delhi player was called up into the Test side as a result of his impressive performances for India A and in the domestic circuit. His confidence showed when he was batting in the middle and looked quite comfortable against the England bowlers. Team India will begin day 2 at 307, with Pant unbeaten on 22.