Rishabh Pant equals record for most catches by a 'keeper in a Test
Only two wicketkeepers had previously taken 11 catches in a Test match.
Published : Dec 10, 2018 09:52 IST
Rishabh Pant became just the third wicketkeeper and the first Indian to take 11 catches in a Test match, achieving the feat in the first Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval.
By taking the catch to dismiss Mitchell Starc on the fifth day, Pant equalled the record for most catches by a wicketkeeper in a Test match with Jack Russell and AB de Villiers. He also became the first Indian 'keeper to take this many catches, going past Wriddhiman Saha's 10 catches against South Africa in Johannesburg in January this year.
Pant took six catches in the first innings, those of Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine, Starc, Travis Head, and Josh Hazlewood, becoming the second Indian wicketkeeper after M. S. Dhoni to take six catches in a Test innings.
He had one blemish behind the stumps in the second innings, dropping a tough one-handed chance to catch Nathan Lyon. But he caught five other that came his way.
Pant's 11th catch of the match put India two wickets away from a win.
“It was nervous as they were coming close, but we did well. I’m happy to contribute to the team. I always enjoy troubling batsmen, I love it when they concentrate on me and not on the bowlers,” said Pant after India won the first Test by 31 runs.