Indian legends more excited about Pant's 22* than Kohli-Rahane fifties

“I know it’s been just 32 balls but how impressive was Rishabh Pant’s technique against quality seam today!” tweeted Sanjay Manjrekar.

Pant was unbeaten on 22 and India were 307/6 at stumps on Day 1. His primary job on Sunday will be to bat along with Ashwin and the tailenders to get India close to the 400-run mark.

The former India U-19 star became the first Indian to open his Test account with a six – in 525 Tests - when he hit leg-spinner Adil Rashid for a beautiful lofted shot straight over long on.

Despite Kohli-Rahane’s stellar performance with the bat, Indian cricket legends were more interested in a 20-year-old debutant and rightly so.

His unfazed attitude and unmatched confidence while facing the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad with the second new ball impressed one and all.

“Rishabh Pant should continue batting the positive way,” tweeted Sachin Tendulkar.

“Rishabh pant excites me ..I hope he scores a big one ..has so much time and uncomplicated technique ..good luck,” wrote former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

Rahane was out for 81 and Kohli edged one off Adil Rashid, falling three short of his 23rd ton.

Unfortunately, both Kohli and Rahane missed out on their well-deserved centuries as they both were dismissed in the post-tea session.

India’s captain and vice-captain stood tall when it mattered the most and helped India display a much-improved show in the third Test match against England at Trent Bridge.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on a 157-run fourth-wicket stand – the highest by some distant for India in this series – and also played out the first wicket-less session of the series.