Sachin Tendulkar hails Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s mind games on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test

Legendary Sachin Tendulkar showered praise on the duo of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant for playing mind games against England on the second day of the opening Test at Leeds, Headingley, on Saturday. Tendulkar noted that Gill and Pant were conversing loudly in Hindi to disturb Shoaib Bashir’s rhythm.

While Gill played a captain’s knock as he scored a brilliant 147 in his debut innings as a skipper, Pant smashed a fine knock of 134 runs. The pair added 209 runs for the fourth wicket and they were able to put India in front.

“Noticed something interesting during Bashir’s spell. Shubman and Rishabh were speaking loudly in Hindi between deliveries. It wasn’t just casual talk. They were playing mind games with the bowler, trying to disrupt his rhythm. These minor details may not appear on the scoreboard, but they can have a significant impact on the game,” Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, June 21.

Gill scored his sixth Test century whereas Pant completed his sixth Test hundred with a one-handed six.

On the other hand, the Master Blaster reckons Rishabh Pant’s paddle sweep is not accidental and the left-hander intentionally plays the shot with guile.

“Rishabh’s falling paddle sweep is not accidental. It is intentional and extremely clever. Going down with the shot allows him to get under the ball and scoop it over leg slip with control,” Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, June 21.

India was bowled out for 471 after Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant scored centuries. At the time of writing, England were 268-4, and the hosts currently trail by 203 runs.