India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant showed remarkable courage on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, returning to the crease despite suffering a wrist injury and taking several more blows from the Sri Lankan fast bowlers.
But Pant being Pant, the injury did little to stop his attacking instincts.
The left-handed batter produced one of the most dramatic moments of the match when he smashed a massive six off fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, sending the ball onto the roof of the SSC Stadium and reportedly shattering a solar panel.
Rishabh Pant's 95-Metre Six Breaks Stadium Solar Panel
The extraordinary shot came during the 90th over of India's innings.
Lahiru Kumara bowled a short delivery from around the wicket, continuing Sri Lanka's strategy of testing Pant with the short ball. Instead of backing away, Pant moved inside the line, got underneath the delivery and unleashed a powerful swing towards the leg side.
The ball travelled an estimated 95 metres before landing on the stadium roof.
The impact reportedly damaged one of the solar panels installed there, turning an already spectacular six into one of the most memorable moments of the India vs Sri Lanka Test.
Pant Returned to Bat Despite Wrist Injury
Pant had earlier been forced to retire on Day 1 after being struck on the wrist shortly after arriving at the crease.
After facing only 15 deliveries, he left the field, raising concerns about whether he would be able to continue in the innings.
However, India's team management later confirmed that Pant was available to bat if required.
When India lost Saransh Jain's wicket on Day 2, Pant walked back out to the middle.
Sri Lanka's fast bowlers immediately resumed their short-ball attack, repeatedly targeting his body and testing the injured batter. Pant took multiple blows during his innings, with the Indian physio attending to him on more than one occasion.
Yet, he continued batting.
Short-Ball Barrage Fails to Stop Pant's Aggression
The six off Kumara perfectly captured Pant's approach.
Despite dealing with an injured wrist and repeated body blows, the wicketkeeper-batter refused to abandon his natural attacking style.
Instead of simply surviving the short-ball barrage, Pant took on the Sri Lankan attack and responded with one of the biggest hits of the innings.
The moment also sparked humour in the commentary box, with former Sri Lanka cricketer Russell Arnold joking that if an air conditioner at the stadium suddenly stopped working, Pant might be responsible.
For Indian cricket fans, however, the moment was another reminder of what makes Rishabh Pant such a unique Test batter — unpredictable, fearless and capable of changing the atmosphere of a match with a single shot.
Another Classic Rishabh Pant Moment
Pant has built his reputation on producing extraordinary moments in pressure situations, often taking unconventional risks that conventional batters would avoid.
His Colombo six added another memorable chapter to that reputation.
Walking out to bat after a wrist injury was itself a significant show of determination. Taking several more blows from the opposition pacers and then responding with a 95-metre six that damaged part of the stadium roof made the moment even more remarkable.
As the second Test continues, Pant's fitness will remain a major point of attention for India. But his performance in Colombo has once again shown that even an injury and a relentless short-ball strategy are not enough to completely take away his attacking instincts.
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