Rishabh Pant was the star of the day for India as the hosts took a healthy first innings lead in the ongoing fourth Test against England in Ahmedabad on Friday. Pant scored his third Test century and his first on home soil as India finished Day 2 at 294 for seven, leading England by 89 runs at Stumps. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 101 off 118 balls in an innings that included 13 boundaries and two maximums. Pant along with Washington Sundar added 113 runs for the seventh wicket as India tightened their grip on the fourth Test. Former India captain and current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly took to Twitter to hail Pant’s unbelievable knock. 

How good is he? Unbelievable..what a knock under pressure…not the first time and won’t be the last time..will be an all time great in all formats in the years to come.keep batting in this aggressive manner .thats why will be match winner and special..@bcci @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/1cRmnSw5ZB

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) March 5, 2021

“How good is he? Unbelievable..what a knock under pressure…not the first time and won’t be the last time..will be an all time great in all formats in the years to come.keep batting in this aggressive manner .thats why will be match winner and special.. @bcci @RishabhPant17,” Ganguly tweeted. 

Apart from Ganguly, Kevin Pietersen also lauded Pant’s batting masterclass in Ahmedabad. 

Pant backs up Brisbane.

Pant is a PLAYER!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 5, 2021

“Pant backs up Brisbane. Pant is a PLAYER,” Pietersen tweeted. 

Many former cricketers and fans also praised Pant for his heroics with the bat. 

He is an original. #Pant pic.twitter.com/iPxhqpnGqK

— R P Singh (@rpsingh) March 5, 2021

Eye-catching all series, but this is match-winning.
SENSATIONAL hundred from Pant.

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 5, 2021

Special player .. @RishabhPant17 !! #INDvENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 5, 2021

In the match, India had bowled out England for 205 on the opening day of the Test. 

The hosts then rode on Pant’s hundred and an unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar to extend their advantage in the game. 

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India need a win or draw in this game in a bid to qualify for the final of World Test Championship. 

An England win will knock India out of contention and Australia will then face New Zealand in the summit clash at Lord’s in June.