Pant received the biggest clap since Tendulkar’s last tour: Broad
The English crowd at Headingley Stadium in Leeds witnessed something special during the first Test match between England and India in 2025. Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant left the field after scoring a century in both innings of the match, and the reception he received from the crowd was nothing short of phenomenal. Former England pacer Stuart Broad, who was a part of the English team during the match, described the atmosphere as the biggest clap he had seen since Sachin Tendulkar’s last tour of England.
Pant’s incredible performance in both innings of the match, where he scored 126 and 113 respectively, left the crowd in awe. The way he batted with confidence and determination, taking on the English bowlers and playing some stunning shots, earned him a standing ovation from the English crowd. The applause was so loud and intense that it was heard across the entire stadium, and even the English players couldn’t help but admire Pant’s brilliant display.
Broad, who has had the privilege of playing against some of the greatest batsmen in the world, including Tendulkar, was moved by the crowd’s reaction to Pant’s innings. “English crowds have always been supportive of opposition players when they do well. But this was probably the biggest clap I had seen since Sachin Tendulkar’s last tour here,” he said in an interview.
Tendulkar’s last tour of England was in 2011, when he played for the Indian national team. During that tour, Tendulkar scored three centuries, including a memorable 143 at Old Trafford. The way he dominated the English bowlers and played some breathtaking shots earned him a standing ovation from the crowd, and Broad’s comparison of Pant’s reception to that of Tendulkar’s is a testament to the Indian batsman’s incredible talent.
Pant’s performance in the match was all the more impressive given the fact that he was playing on a tricky Headingley pitch. The pitch was uneven and offered a lot of bounce, but Pant used his incredible footwork and hand-eye coordination to play some stunning shots. He was particularly aggressive in his second innings, where he scored 113 off just 131 balls, which included 15 fours and 3 sixes.
The English bowlers, who had been struggling to contain Pant throughout the match, were left frustrated by his incredible display. The likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Chris Woakes were all taken to task by Pant, who played some remarkable shots to score his century.
Pant’s innings was not just a solitary effort, however. He received excellent support from his teammates, particularly Rohit Sharma, who scored 61 in the first innings and 47 in the second. The Indian batting lineup, which had been struggling in the past few months, looked like a well-oiled machine during the match, with each batsman contributing to the team’s total.
The match ultimately ended in a draw, with India declaring their second innings at 329/5, giving them a lead of 214 runs. The English team, who were struggling to stay afloat during the match, were left with a difficult task to chase down the target.
In the end, while the match may not have produced a winner, it was a testament to the incredible talent and skill of Rishabh Pant. The way he batted with confidence and determination, taking on the English bowlers and playing some stunning shots, earned him a standing ovation from the crowd, and it was a fitting tribute to his incredible performance.
