Pant's best Test innings have often arrived when India needed a momentum shift. Whether chasing a challenging target in Australia, recovering from trouble in England, or taking on spin in India, he has repeatedly shown the confidence to attack without losing sight of the match situation.

Here are the top 5 best innings of Rishabh Pant in Test cricket, ranked by their combination of individual quality, match context and impact.

Top 5 Best Test Innings of Rishabh Pant

1. 89* vs Australia, The Gabba, 2021

Pant's unbeaten 89 at the Gabba remains the defining innings of his Test career. India entered the fourth Test needing 328 to win a series in which Australia had not lost at Brisbane since 1988.

The target looked formidable, particularly on the fifth day. Pant, however, played the situation rather than simply attacking every ball. After Cheteshwar Pujara had absorbed pressure, Pant provided the acceleration India needed.

He took calculated risks against Australia's attack, which included Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. His ability to switch between defence and attack kept the chase alive as India's target came within reach.

The decisive moment arrived when Pant pushed Nathan Lyon through the covers for the winning boundary.

Why this innings ranks No. 1: The unbeaten 89 did more than produce a famous personal score. It helped India complete a historic three-wicket victory and secure a 2-1 series win in Australia, ending the Gabba's long unbeaten streak.

2. 146 vs England, Edgbaston, 2022

Pant's 146 at Edgbaston showcased perhaps his most destructive form of Test batting.

India were struggling at 98/5 on a seam-friendly surface, with England's attack putting sustained pressure on the middle order. Instead of allowing the innings to collapse, Pant attacked.

He formed an important partnership with Ravindra Jadeja and reached his century from only 89 deliveries. Pant eventually made 146 from 111 balls, including 19 fours and four sixes.

One of the innings' standout moments came when he advanced down the track to Jack Leach and struck him for a powerful straight six.

Although India ultimately lost the Test by seven wickets, the innings demonstrated Pant's ability to change the direction of a match in a remarkably short period.

Why it ranks so highly: Pant did not simply score quickly. He attacked when India were under severe pressure and forced England to adjust their plans.

3. 97 vs Australia, Sydney, 2021

Pant's 97 at the Sydney Cricket Ground is arguably less celebrated than his Gabba heroics, but its importance to India's series victory should not be underestimated.

Australia had set India a daunting target of 407 in the fourth innings. With a draw appearing to be the realistic objective, Pant was promoted to No. 5 and encouraged to attack despite suffering an abdominal injury earlier in the match.

He responded with 97 from 118 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. His aggressive approach forced Australia to reconsider their field placements and transformed what had looked like a straightforward defensive effort into a genuine chase.

Pant's dismissal, three runs short of a century, ended one of the innings' most remarkable aspects. India ultimately secured a famous draw.

Key takeaway: The innings helped India avoid going 2-1 down before the decisive Brisbane Test. In that sense, Pant's 97 formed an important part of the chain of events that led to India's series victory.

4. 101 vs England, Ahmedabad, 2021

Pant's century in Ahmedabad demonstrated that his aggression was not limited to overseas conditions.

On a dry, turning surface where batting proved difficult, he initially played a more controlled role before increasing the tempo. His ability to recognize when to change gears was central to the innings.

One of the most memorable shots came against James Anderson with the new ball. Pant produced a daring reverse-lap shot over the slip cordon for four, highlighting the unconventional stroke range that had become a defining part of his batting.

He eventually scored 101 from 118 balls.

India won the Test by an innings and 25 runs, and the result secured their place in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final.

Why it matters: Pant combined risk-taking with situation awareness. The innings showed that his attacking style could work even when conditions made conventional batting difficult.

5. 114 vs England, The Oval, 2018

Pant's 114 at The Oval was the innings that announced his arrival on the international Test stage.

Only 20 years old and playing his third Test, Pant came to the crease with India struggling at 121/5 while chasing 464 in the final Test of the series.

He joined KL Rahul and produced a fluent counterattack. Pant scored 114 from 146 balls, hitting 15 fours and four sixes.

He reached his maiden Test century by launching Adil Rashid over mid-wicket for six. The innings made him the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred in England.

India eventually lost the match by 118 runs, but the result did little to diminish the significance of Pant's performance.

Why it matters: The innings established early in his career that Pant's aggressive approach could translate from limited-overs cricket into Test cricket.

What Makes Rishabh Pant's Test Batting Different?

Pant's greatest Test innings share several tactical characteristics. His success is not simply the result of attacking shots; it comes from knowing when and where to apply pressure.

1. Calculated aggression

Pant regularly uses his feet against spin and looks to disrupt conventional fields. By attacking lead spinners, he can force captains to move close catchers and alter their preferred bowling plans.

2. An unusually broad stroke range

Lap shots, ramps, reverse shots, sweeps and paddle-style strokes give Pant options that many conventional Test batters do not use as frequently.

That variety can make setting a predictable field difficult, particularly when Pant gains confidence at the crease.

3. Adaptability to match situations

Despite his reputation as an aggressive batter, Pant's best innings are rarely reckless from the first ball. His innings can develop in phases: absorbing the new-ball threat, building a partnership and then increasing the scoring rate when conditions or the match situation allow it.

4. Performance under pressure

Several of Pant's defining innings have come when India were in difficult positions. His 97 at Sydney and unbeaten 89 at Brisbane are particularly strong examples of how his batting can influence a Test when the pressure is at its highest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rishabh Pant's highest Test score?

Rishabh Pant's highest Test score is 159 not out, scored against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

How many Test centuries has Rishabh Pant scored?

Pant has scored 8 Test centuries, including hundreds on overseas tours across England, Australia and South Africa.

Is Rishabh Pant the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 1,000 Test runs?

Yes. Pant reached 1,000 Test runs in 27 innings, making him the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach the milestone.

Which is Rishabh Pant's most famous Test innings?

His unbeaten 89 at the Gabba in January 2021 is widely regarded as his most famous Test innings. It helped India defeat Australia by three wickets and secure a historic series victory.

Conclusion

The top 5 best innings of Rishabh Pant in Test cricket reveal why he has become such an influential modern wicketkeeper-batter. His performances combine aggression, adaptability and the ability to respond when India are under pressure.

From the 114 at The Oval that announced his arrival to the unbeaten 89 at the Gabba that completed a historic chase, Pant's greatest innings have rarely been ordinary. They have changed the momentum of matches and, in some cases, the outcome of the entire series.

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