"stand, admire, scratch your head” – KL Rahul on Pant’s genius

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have just sent to bed the thousands in the English crowd, even if they had watched all day the kind of exhilarating cricket that brings out the crowd in the first place in the 4th test at Headingley, reminding everyone why Test cricket can still take your breath away. Rahul seemed to be the embodiment of composure  he drove neatly, shouldered arms to anything on length and defended with the top hand like death depended on it.. Beside him, Pant was a storm: ramping balls while falling over, swinging for the fences with one hand, and generally causing England’s fielders and bowlers all sorts of headaches. Together, they built a partnership of 195 runs that swung the game India’s way.

For Rahul, this innings was more than just another century. It was proof of why he’s so highly rated despite a batting average that doesn’t always do him justice. With big names like Kohli and Rohit now gone, Rahul knows it’s his time to step up as the dependable anchor at the top. His hundred at Leeds  his third in England  was as technically perfect as any young batter could wish to emulate. Even when England tried to unsettle him, Rahul’s calm aura never cracked.

And then there was Pant. Nobody not even his own teammates truly knows what goes on in his head when he’s batting. He can be reckless, infuriating, and unstoppable, sometimes all in the space of five balls. His second century of the match was vintage Pant: a blur of edges, slog-sweeps, and towering sixes that had England scrambling for ideas. You can’t coach what he does  and that’s exactly what makes him special.

ALSO SEE:WTC 2027: SL vs BAN, 2nd Test, Match Prediction– Who will win the Test Match?

A New Era for India’s Batting

As India moves into life without Rohit and Virat, Rahul and Pant represent two ends of a very exciting spectrum. Rahul gives the top order security, old-school technique, and a calm mind that soaks up pressure in tough conditions. He plays the ball late, trusts his defence, and shows young players how Test cricket should be played.

Pant, on the other hand, is chaos personified  and India wouldn’t have it any other way. He makes bowlers panic, captains lose sleep, and fans stay glued to the screen. When he’s on song, no total feels safe and no plan works for long. Together, Rahul and Pant promise India a future where tradition and audacity coexist  and where the opposition never quite knows what’s coming next.