ENG vs IND | Twitter in splits as Pant denies Gavaskar's summersault request to showcase new celebration

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Rishabh Pant showcases a new celebration after bringing up his second century of the Test against England in Headingley

Test cricket is a tolerant arena, with space for both classical orthodox batters and flamboyant entertainers. Rishabh Pant firmly belongs to that second category and recently added to his arsenal with a celebration to suit, only to can the extravagancy the one time Sunil Gavaskar requested it.

‌India recovered exceptionaly after losing a wicket early on Day 3 on Headingley with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant stitching together a potentially match-winning 195-run stand for the fourth wicket. With the conditions overcast and a so far docile pitch beginning to misbehave, Rahul was content retreating into a shell and absorbing pressure but Pant was having none of it. The wicket-keeper batter grasped every opportunity to attack even while Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes delivered fiery spells, and took a particular liking to Shoaib Bashir's off breaks. However, having been dismissed in the 90s on seven previous occassions, Pant applied the brakes as he neared the three-figure mark and spent 26 deliveries in the nervous nineties. Once the inevitable century did arrive though, making Pant just the second wicketkeeper to score twin tons, cinema followed.

Even with Ben Stokes luring the batter into a big stroke to bring up the magical figure, much like Pant had achieved in the first innings with a six, the Indian vice-captain calmly nudged Bashir around to get to his hundred. As he completed the second, Pant raised his helmet and looked to the heavens with closed eyes before raising his bat to Headingley standing on its feet. Amongst the ovation-givers was Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar who had infamously been embroiled in controversy after calling Pant 'stupid, stupid, stupid' on air while criticizing his shot selection during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under earlier in the year. Pant continued with his celebrations by taking off the gloves, seemingly preparing for the summersault celebration he brought back into vogue during the Indain Premier League and replicated in the first innings, but instead settled for funkily shaping his fingers into binoculars. The teasing clearly left Gavaskar wanting, as he demanded a summersault with gleaming eyes and a beaming grin, albeit Pant respectfully denied the request by signalling he'll bring the summersault out next time around.

Twitterati was thoroughly amused.

No somersault

One more Century from Rishabh Pant, but no Somersault Celebration this time

Though Gavaskar asks for it, Pant refuses !!
— Mustafa Moudi (@Mustafamoudi)

Says it all

The reactions say it all 💯🔥

Rishabh Pant becomes he first Indian wicketkeeper to score a century in both innings of a Test match. |
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk)

He's enjoying

Gavaskar watching Pant so far
— Tingus Pingis (@bent_copper)

Something is going on

Is Sunil Gavaskar's advice behind Rishabh Pant's mature innings?something is going on between these two 😂
— Tide Bhai (@Public_Voice0)

Lovely

Gavaskar telling Pant to do somersault after his century.
— Pranjal Sharma (@chandlerpeeing)

Elite

Rishabh Pant joins the elite 👑 Twin centuries club!

Pant pulls off twin tons — follows in the footsteps of Gavaskar, Ponting & Warner!
— Tanuj (@Tanujkaswan)

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