Rishabh Pant turns 26: Top 5 knocks of flamboyant wicket-keeper batter in all formats 

One of India's key players across formats, Rishabh Pant has had enough ups and downs in his short career so far. Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) signed the teenage sensation in 2016 and without much delay, he earned his maiden India call-up. Pant made his international debut in a T20I series against England in 2017 and played his maiden ODI and Test the following year.

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Born in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, the left-handed batter is known for his fearless and attacking style of play. His ability to score runs quickly, which immediately put the opposition under pressure, gave India a significant boost, especially in the longer format of the game. His match-winning knocks in India's historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21 is a testament to his ability.

However, after being involved in a horrific car accident on 30th December on the Delhi-Dehradun highway, Pant has been staying away from the cricket action. He then underwent multiple surgeries and is recovering faster than expected. As Team India's flamboyant wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant celebrates his 26th birthday today (October 4) let's take a look at his top 5 knocks across all formats of the game.

Rishabh Pant's Top 5 knocks 

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5. 159* vs Australia in Sydney Test in 2019

In the fourth Test of India's tour of Australia in 2019, Rishabh Pant showcased his sensible attacking game. Opting to bat first, India got going beautifully with a brilliant partnership from Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara. The Men in Blue then lost a couple of wickets, including captain Virat Kohli's, but Pant and Pujara stitched together 89 runs for the sixth wicket. Pujara departed after making 191 runs, while Pant remained unbeaten on 159 (his highest Test score) before India declared the innings at 622/7. The match, however, ended in a draw.

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4. 146 vs England in Birmingham Test in 2022

Batting first in the fifth Test in Birmingham, India were struggling at 98/5 on Day 1 after all their top batter failed to find any resistance. However, Pant's counter-attacking century off just 89 balls helped India recover from a massive collapse. He smashed 146 off 111 balls (15 boundaries and a six) while putting on a 222-run sixth wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja. It was his second Test century in England and the fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests. India made a huge score of 416 runs in the first innings but could not win the match.

3. 125* vs England in Manchester ODI in 2022

After cementing his place in Test cricket with some impressive performances, it was important for Pant to showcase his mettle in the 50-over format. Chasing 260 in the 3rd ODI in Manchester in 2022, India were in a spot of bother on their way to winning the match and the series. The visitors were reeling at 72/4, but Pant came to India’s rescue as he forged a 133-run partnership with Hardik Pandya. The southpaw registered his maiden ODI century and steered India to the finish line with 47 balls to spare.

2. 97 vs Australia in Sydney Test in 2021

With the four-match series tied at 1-1, it was essential for India to either win or draw the third Test in Sydney. Chasing a massive 400-plus target in the second innings, India smelled a setback when they lost three wickets for 102. However, Pant, who came in to bat at No. 5, put together a brilliant partnership of 148 runs with Pujara. Although Pant missed out on a well-deserved century by just three runs, his 118-ball 97 proved crucial in India saving the Test match.

1. 89* vs Australia in Brisbane Test in 2021

This is a continuation of the previous innings where another masterclass from Rishabh Pant helped India register a historic series win. Coming after a humiliation of 36 all-out in the first Test and levelling the series 1-1, India had to chase down a target of 328 runs in the final Test at the Gabba, Australia's fort, to win the series. Subhman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara laid the foundation with excellent half-centuries but India were far from the finish line. Batting at No. 5, Pant once again displayed a stunning performance to give India an epic victory by three wickets.