Rishabh Pant Stuns Fans With Record-Breaking Knock: Highlights, Stats & Expert Reactions

Rishabh Pant’s roar finally echoed across the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday night as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper blazed an unbeaten 118 off just 60 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), rewriting several IPL 2025 records in the process. Pant’s whirlwind knock—laced with 11 fours and eight towering sixes—powered LSG to 227-4 and put them on the brink of a top-two finish, capping a comeback season that only months ago seemed improbable after a career-threatening car accident in late 2022. The left-hander’s assault began cautiously on a two-paced surface before he shifted gears with trademark audacity, dispatching Mohammed Siraj for three consecutive sixes in the 18th over and reaching his second IPL hundred in 54 deliveries. Moments later, Pant celebrated with a gravity-defying backflip that set social media ablaze, a gesture he admitted was “for every fan who believed the comeback was possible.” The clip racked up millions of views within minutes and even drew an awestruck reaction from Bollywood star Anushka Sharma in the stands, adding to the evening’s viral frenzy. Beyond the spectacle, Pant’s innings could have far-reaching implications for India’s T20 World Cup 2025 plans. With the selectors meeting next week, the wicketkeeper-batter has put forward an irresistible case, averaging 48.16 and striking at 171 this season despite missing the first four fixtures for rehabilitation. Team India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, speaking to broadcasters at the innings break, called the knock “the final piece of evidence we wanted to see” while hinting that Pant could reclaim the gloves for the Caribbean showpiece. Equally significant was the psychological blow to RCB’s bowlers. Ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga conceded 51 from his four overs, his worst return of the campaign, and later admitted Pant “never let me settle.” Virat Kohli’s men now face a must-win final league match to secure qualification, while LSG have climbed to second, behind only the resurgent Rajasthan Royals on net run rate. For Pant, the century marks the culmination of a 28-month journey that began in an ICU and wound through relentless physiotherapy, biomechanical tweaks to his batting stance, and a slow-burn domestic return. “Every morning rehab session felt worth it tonight,” he said at the post-match presentation, dedicating the Player-of-the-Match trophy to “my mother and every physiotherapist who pushed me through the pain barrier.” With the playoffs looming, Pant’s resurgence could not be better timed for LSG—or for Indian cricket. If Tuesday night is any indicator, the fearless finisher who terrorized attacks in 2018-21 is back, adding another riveting chapter to the IPL’s already dramatic 2025 season.