India, June 22 -- As the ball disappeared over cow corner and nestled deep in the stands, Rishabh Pant turned towards the dressing-room, arms aloft, savouring the moment. Then, carefully, deliberately, he took off his helmet and gloves, respectfully laying them on the turf alongside his bat. Taking a deep breath and composing himself, not unlike a gymnast preparing for the final flourish to end an impeccable floor exercise routine, he pulled off the perfect somersault before sinking into his delighted captain Shubman Gill's arms.

In the comm box, the great Sunil Gavaskar couldn't contain himself. Less than six months after his famous 'Stupid, stupid, stupid' takedown of Pant's ambitious scoop at the MCG off Scott Boland that flew off the...