Stats: Rishabh Pant completes 50 dismissals as wicketkeeper in Test cricket

Rishabh Pant had received mixed reception to his role as keeper in the Indian Test team ever since his debut in mid-2018. Pant has earned the backlash for his shot selection at times and his rusty keeping. However, the youngster managed to play some crucial knocks in this period and was able to improve his keeping skills in the due course. During the ongoing 2nd Test against the West Indies in Jamaica, the 21-year-old completed 50 dismissals as keeper in only his 11th Test match.

Thus, he became the fastest Indian keeper to 50 Test dismissals. MS Dhoni got to this feat in 15 Test matches as was the quickest before Pant. Overall, only four other Test history had 50 dismissals in their first 11 Tests as a keeper. Mark Boucher, Jonny Bairstow and Tim Paine share the record taking only ten matches while Adam Gilchrist also claimed his 50th keeping dismissal in his 11th Test. Pant had a perfect chance to set new record having claimed 39 dismissals by end of his 7th Test only.

He took three catches in Melbourne Test but didn’t get a chance to affect even one in the rain-affected Sydney Test. Pant took five catches in the first Test in Antigua and three more in Kingston to complete the milestone. One common thing among the players in the top five of this list is the bowling line-up they played with. There is no need of an introduction to the pace attack for which legendary wicket-keepers Mark Boucher and Adam Gilchrist stood behind. Jonny Bairstow had the luxury of keeping wickets for James Anderson and Stuart Broad at home.

Tim Paine also has some of the world-class fast bowlers steaming in at the opposition batters. Rishabh Pant’s entry to Test cricket conflicted with the peak of Indian pace attack. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami saw success with the ball on overseas tours while Umesh Yadav in home conditions. At this rate, Rishabh could find his place in many keeping records in the coming days.

Fewest matches for 50 dismissals as wicket-keeper in Test cricket:

(Stats as on September 1, 2019)