Sri Lanka's fast bowlers continued to challenge Pant with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. Despite taking a couple of hits to his shoulder before the drinks break, Pant remained undeterred. His resilience culminated in a spectacular moment during the 90th over when he faced a short ball from Lahiru Kumara. With a swift swivel, Pant executed a powerful pull shot over fine leg, sending the ball soaring approximately 95 meters. It struck the roof, causing a significant dent and damaging a solar panel before bouncing out of play.
At the time of reporting, Pant had reached 63 runs, marking his 21st half-century in Test cricket. Jurel was also making his mark, remaining unbeaten after scoring his third Test fifty. Together, they were instrumental in propelling India towards a substantial first-innings total. In addition to his impressive performance, Pant achieved a significant milestone by surpassing MS Dhoni in the record books. He became India's leading run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests, amassing over 2,500 runs at an average of 41.68, eclipsing Dhoni's previous record of 2,496 runs.
Farokh Engineer follows in third place with 1,209 runs, while Syed Kirmani and Kiran More have tallies of 1,109 and 901 runs, respectively. Pant's achievements not only highlight his individual talent but also underscore his growing legacy within Indian cricket as he continues to make significant contributions on the international stage.
