Twitter Reactions: Rishabh Pant takes Sri Lankan bowlers by storm in Virat Kohli's 100th Test

Day 1 of Virat Kohli’s 100th Test belonged to Rishabh Pant as the southpaw scored a quick-fire 96. It was an innings of authority as Sri Lankan bowlers looked absolutely clueless against him. Besides the wicketkeeper-batter, Hanuma Vihari scored 58 as India finished at 357/6 on Day 1 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Lasith Embuldeniya was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, having taken a couple of wickets.

Earlier in the day, India won the toss and unsurprisingly, opted to bat first at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The home team got off to a flying start with openers Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal attacking bowlers from the outset. The duo played some delightful shots early on as India crossed the 50-run mark inside nine overs.

However, none of the two could convert their start into a big score. Nonetheless, India’s new number three Hanuma Vihari enjoyed an impressive outing as he scored his maiden fifty in home Tests. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli walked to bat at number four, looking determined to make a significant mark in his 100th Test. He even played some delightful shots all over the park.

However, left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya brought curtains to his knock at a personal score of 45. As Vihari also perished after scoring 58, the game seemed to have come in balance. Furthermore, Shreyas Iyer, who did showcase some resistance, got out after scoring 27 off 48 deliveries. With the scorecard reading 228/5, the Sri Lankan camp looked please.

Rishabh Pant stole the show with a sensational knock

However, Rishabh Pant ruined their party with a well-paced knock. As Sri Lankan spinners were getting purchase from the surface, the wicketkeeper-batter started off steadily. However, there were fireworks once he crossed the 50-run mark. There was no one stopping Pant as the dasher made absolute mockery of Sri Lankan bowlers.

While the 24-year-old looked all set to slam a hundred, Suranga Lakmal shattered his stumps and sent him packing for 96. Meanwhile, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are the two unbeaten batters at the crease as India finished Day 1 at 357/6.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitter reacted to the proceedings on Day 1:

@RishabhPant17 ❤️❤️☝️🇮🇳 https://t.co/3r3kZKJrTs

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) March 4, 2022

#Pant may have missed a hundred but I was very impressed with his remarkably responsible approach. And his out standing self belief while hitting sixes is incredible. #Cricket #CricketTwitter

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) March 4, 2022

Loot liya lanka ko… 👖 🔥🔥🔥 #INDvSL

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 4, 2022

Rishabh Pant is one hell of an exciting cricketer!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 4, 2022

Cricket’s obsession with milestones doesn’t allow us to properly acknowledge and appreciate the achievements. This is Rishabh’s 5th score in 90s…all of them stellar knocks enriching Test cricket. #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 4, 2022

#Pant deserved a ton. Well played once again in a tricky situation. #MohaliTest #INDvSL

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 4, 2022

Absolutely love watching @RishabhPant17 !! A player who you can’t love .. don’t want to miss a ball he faces .. no idea what’s going on his head .. but it’s always a must watch .. I reckon he is the greatest modern day player entertainer ., #INDvSL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 4, 2022

Congratulations King Kohli 👑
Been an honour playing by your side.
Looking forward to the next 💯 matches.@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ruZBmfghL8

— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) March 4, 2022

Congrats @imVkohli on your 100th test! Remarkable achievement & pray that you get a 100 on the 100th! #INDvSL #100thTestForKingKohli

— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) March 4, 2022

Well Played @RishabhPant17 😊#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/iuZHrG6BM5

— Sagar Gupta 🇮🇳 (@Sagargupta0808) March 4, 2022

Your 96(97) was no less than a 100. Well played King! @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/X5DrIQODbk

— S A I K I R A N (@sachinfan1045) March 4, 2022

What a brilliant knock of 96 off 97 rishabh pant, You deserve the century , Unlucky not to get to his century.💔

Well played, @RishabhPant17 👏

#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/7G2nyQBoMf

— Sumit devda 🙇 (@Little_baby_11) March 4, 2022

Keep your head high Rishabh Pant lot of more to come https://t.co/FldZzkIapI

— Pratik 🪄 (@122mlongsix) March 4, 2022

100s are outdated, 90s are the new kick – #RishabhPant #INDvSL

— Akash (@akaash_pratap) March 4, 2022

Well played @RishabhPant17 !!!!#RishabhPant #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/laSeFnYJRj

— Shikhar Tiwari (@its_me_shikhar) March 4, 2022