(Video) Rishabh Pant Breaks the Roof as He Announced His Arrival in England Ahead of Vital Test Series

Rishabh Pant spectacularly hit a massive six during India's net session that tore through the stadium's roof.

(Video) Rishabh Pant Breaks the Roof as He Announced His Arrival in England Ahead of Vital Test Series

Rishabh Pant hit a six during a net practice session in England, that tore through the roof of the stadium. (via screengrab X)

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant announced his arrival in England in style, as he broke the roof of the stadium with a monstrous six during India’s net session on Monday (June 9). The 27-year-old is getting ready to be a part of the Indian Test side, which faces England in a crucial five-match red-ball series. 

Rishabh Pant did not enjoy a great 2025 IPL season with his new side, Lucknow Super Giants, scoring just 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.17. He, however, ended the tournament on high note, hitting a 118-run knock off just 61 balls in LSG’s final game of the season, against eventual champions of the season Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The century ignited the much-needed spark within the left-handed batter.

Pant has been named as the vice-captain of the Indian Test side, in a major team reshuffle, following Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the red-ball cricket. The Indian Test team, under Shubman Gill’s leadership, has landed in England for the upcoming series, starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, which also kick-starts the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

He will be a key player for the side, as he is listed 10th on the ICC Test Batter Rankings, six spots behind 4th-placed Yashasvi Jaiswal. The wicket-keeper batter also boasts a good red-ball record in England, having accumulated 556 runs in just nine matches, including two centuries and two half-centuries. He scored 146 and 57 runs in both innings, in his last Test match played on English soil back in 2022.

Pant among the very few experienced players in the side, that has traveled to England. The LSG star announced his arrival in the UK in style by hitting a destructive six during a net session. In a video posted by ESPN Cricinfo on social media, Pant was seen playing a slog-sweep off Washington Sundar’s delivery. He ended up hitting the ball towards the stadium’s roof, creating a deep hole in it. 

He will be joined by the likes of several other stars, who come off a brilliant IPL and domestic cricketing season. The list includes Gujarat Titans’ opener Sai Sudharsan, who finished as the IPL’s highest run-getter this season, veteran Karun Nair, who enjoyed a scintillating Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy season, and debutant Arshdeep Singh, who had shone in white-ball cricket. 

Aakash Chopra suggests LSG to release Rishabh Pant ahead of the next IPL season, and buy him back again 

Despite being the most expensive player, at INR 27 crores, in the history of the IPL, Rishabh Pant failed to justify the massive price-tag that was paid by Lucknow Super Giants to get his services. The explosive superstar of Indian cricket had a season to forget, as he failed to get going with the bat, until the very last match. 

Rishabh Pant release LSG Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra recommended LSG to release Rishabh Pant and buy him again, ahead of 2026 IPL. (via Hindustan Times)

Pant’s poor form throughout the season as well as his failure to lead LSG into the playoffs has ignited calls from fans to release him, ahead of the 2026 IPL season. However, former Indian cricketer-turned analyst Aakash Chopra uniquely suggested the LSG management to release Pant, and back him back once again.

Chopra recommended the team to shell the wicket-keeper out at INR 27 crores, and later get him back for a cheaper price of INR 14-15 crores, during the 2026 IPL auction. Apart from Pant, several other players failed to perform in the 2025 IPL season, despite teams paying a fortune to buy them.

If LSG release Rishabh Pant, you will sit with ₹60-65 crore in the auction. You could be the next Punjab Kings. You can also consider releasing Rishabh Pant at ₹27 crore and buying him back for ₹14-15 crore.

Aakash Chopra said via his Instagram page

KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer (INR 23.75 crores), PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (INR 18 crores), and SRH star Mohammed Shami (INR 10 crores) are the players who failed to hit the deck, this season.