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The third day of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai witnessed a dominant display of batting prowess from the Indian team, particularly from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, who both scored centuries to set an improbable 515-run target for the visitors. The match was a testament to the resilience and determination of both players, who overcame personal obstacles and showcased their exceptional abilities in the red-ball format.
Pant's journey back to Test cricket has been well-documented, as he has been recovering from a horrific car crash in December 2022. His century was not just a display of his batting skills but also a symbol of his mental fortitude and his ability to bounce back from adversity. His emotional reaction after reaching the milestone, with a silent prayer and a warm embrace with Gill, highlighted the significance of the achievement for him. Pant’s century also equaled Chennai’s ‘Thala’ MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman.
Gill, on the other hand, has been struggling with confidence in Test cricket, despite his success in limited-overs formats. However, he seems to have turned a corner since his century against England at Visakhapatnam earlier this year. His fifth Test century in Chennai further solidified his growing stature in the longer format. While Gill and Pant were in a zone of their own, they displayed contrasting batting styles. Pant’s innings was a whirlwind of power hitting, while Gill’s was a more measured and calculated approach.
The two batsmen combined for a 167-run partnership for the fourth wicket, setting the foundation for India’s declaration at 287 for four. Bangladesh, despite a spirited effort from their openers, ended the day at 56 for no loss, still facing an insurmountable task to chase down the target. The match highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams and serves as a reminder of the immense talent pool that exists within the Indian cricket team.
Source: Pant, Gill hit tons to set improbable 515-run target for Bangladesh