Rishabh Pant's Calm Demeanor Stifles Harry Brook's Sledging Attempt in Edgbaston Test - India vs. England

Pant's Witty Retort Silences Brook's Sledge in Edgbaston Test

The second innings of the Edgbaston Test witnessed a captivating battle, not just between bat and ball, but also between wits, as Rishabh Pant faced some verbal volleys from England's Harry Brook. Brook attempted to unsettle Pant during his rapid half-century, but the Indian wicket-keeper batsman responded with remarkable composure.

As Rishabh Pant began to find his rhythm, Brook tried to inject some pressure with a direct question: "What's your fastest hundred?". The intention was to perhaps lure Pant into playing a reckless shot.

Pant, unfazed, replied calmly, "In Test cricket, maybe 80-90 minutes," referring to the measured pace of his previous centuries.

Brook, however, pressed on, bringing up his own achievement in the IPL. "The fastest hundred I've hit was in 55 balls—you could do that today," he quipped, aiming to provoke Pant into taking unnecessary risks.

But Rishabh Pant remained unperturbed. "It's okay. I'm not too greedy for records. If it happens, it happens," he responded with a smile, effectively dismissing Brook's attempts at sledging with quiet confidence.

Prior to this exchange, Pant had already contributed a vital 65 off just 58 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. This followed his first innings score of 25.

Key Stats for Rishabh Pant:

• In 28 SENA Tests, Pant has amassed 2,023 runs at an average of 41.28.
• He has six centuries and six fifties in 52 innings, with a highest score of 159*.
• In this series, Pant is the second-highest run-scorer, with 342 runs in four innings, averaging 85.00 with a strike rate of 81.81. He has scored two centuries and a fifty, with a best of 134.

Pant's aggressive 65, which included eight boundaries and three towering sixes, led to a crucial 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Gill.

Gill himself shone with a brilliant 161 off 162 balls, including 13 fours and eight sixes, following his impressive 269 in the first innings.

Jadeja contributed an unbeaten 69 (118 balls, five fours and one six) and shared a brisk 175-run partnership for the fifth wicket with the Indian captain.

India, resuming their fourth day's play at 64 for one, had earlier lost KL Rahul (55) and Karun Nair (26) in the first session.