Pant's Composure Deflates Brook's Sledging as India Battles England in Edgbaston Test

India's Rishabh Pant celebrates after scoring fifty runs day four of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

During the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, Rishabh Pant showcased his resilience not only with the bat but also with his composure, effectively shutting down Harry Brook's attempts at sledging. England faced a barrage of Indian batting prowess, prompting Brook to engage in verbal tactics aimed at unsettling Pant during his rapid half-century.

As Rishabh Pant injected dynamism into the game, Brook tried to unnerve him between deliveries by inquiring, "What’s your fastest hundred?" The intention was to introduce an element of recklessness into Pant's approach.

Pant calmly responded, "In Test cricket, maybe 80–90 minutes," alluding to the measured tempo of his previous centuries.

Undeterred, Brook then alluded to his own explosive innings in the IPL, quipping, "The fastest hundred I’ve hit was in 55 balls—you could do that today," in an attempt to goad Pant into playing impetuously.

However, Pant remained unfazed by Brook's provocation. He replied with a serene smile, "It’s okay. I’m not too greedy for records. If it happens, it happens," thereby dismissing the sledging with remarkable poise.

Following his initial score of 25, Pant delivered a captivating, counter-attacking innings, scoring a vital 65 off 58 balls, decorated with eight fours and three sixes.

Throughout his 28 SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) Tests, Pant has accumulated 2,023 runs at an average of 41.28, including six centuries and six fifties across 52 innings, achieving a personal best score of 159*.

In the current series, Pant stands as the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 342 runs in four innings at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of 81.81, featuring two centuries and a fifty, with a top score of 134.

Pant's dynamic innings of 65 from 58 balls, punctuated by eight fours and three sixes, contributed to a partnership of 110 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Gill.

Gill complemented his impressive 269 from the first innings with another substantial knock of 161, achieved in 162 balls with 13 fours and eight sixes.

Jadeja remained unbeaten with 69 (off 118 balls, including five fours and one six), further bolstering the Indian innings with a swift 175-run partnership for the fifth wicket with the Indian captain.

India, resuming play on the fourth day at 64 for one, had previously lost KL Rahul (55) and Karun Nair (26) during the initial session.