BEN STOKES, his England players received a taste from an Indian hurricane named Rishabh Pant.

Pant batted with the same brilliance as Jonny Bairstow's this summer, and saved his team from a terrible predicament.

India was 98-5 at one point with Jimmy Anderson swinging his magic, but Pant responded by tearing into England's bowlers using the aggression and audacity that a risk-taker.

This is exactly how England responded to New Zealand's sticky situation. This approach was called Bazball, after Brendon McCullum's nickname. This was Pantball, and the left-handed wicketkeeper sure sprayed shots at all parts.

He was able to reach his century with just 89 balls. Some of his strokes were amazing in their inventiveness.

After whacking Jack Leach, spinner for a one-bounce four, he fell flat on his back.

He reverse-roped Anderson twice for two another time, which was bold, but not as impressive as Joe Root's two sixes with the same unconventional shot against the Kiwis.

Leach's 22-run over cost him another run. Pant hit a one-handed homer that was caught in the crowd at long-on. His innings were not a slow grind, but a calculated one.

Pant ended up scoring 146 runs from just 111 balls. He was caught at slip by Zak Crowley, Root trying another big blow. Root is now on pace for the fastest 150 against England.

Pant was able to rely on Ravindra Jadeja (another left-hander), for a great ally. The pair managed to score 222 runs in only 38.5 overs, which was enough time for Pant's sixth wicket.

India was 338-7 at the end of day one in the Fifth Test.

Paul Collingwood, England assistant coach, said that "Pant's counterattack was brilliant to see. You have to see the larger picture when someone is playing out of their skin in an entertaining way.

"To make Test cricket more interesting, it's necessary to keep it alive. He played some incredible shots.

"We are not playing traditional Test cricket. We're looking to take wickets, rather than stop the runs. It's a significant shift in mindset.

"If we can keep India below 360 or 370, then we will have done really well."

Pant said, "I felt pressure after losing those first wickets, but I tried to keep my eyes on the ball." While I may play some odd shots, I really try to focus on the percentages.

Stokes decided to bowl first and Crawley soon joined the action. Crawley held two catch and dropped one in the opening session.

Shubman Gill led Anderson calmly to the second slip, but he clung on and missed an opportunity to his right from Hanuma Vihari of Potts. Crawley, however, snatched a comfortable edge from Pujara in the next over.

Pujara was previously given out for 13 by Stuart Broad. A review revealed that the ball had brushed his back thigh, not the bat.

Rain held play for 90 minutes. Potts had Vihari plumb, then Virat Kohli tried to shoulder arms but was unable to deflect the ball onto the stumps.

Potts defeated Kane Williamson in the New Zealand series three times, and now he has India's No.1 gun.

India were 98-5 when ShreyasIyer threw a ball from Anderson down the legside, and Sam Billings caught a great one-handed catch diving to his right.

Anderson missed the last Test against New Zealand because he had three wickets. He was bowling flawlessly, while Potts had two. However, he received some severe punishment from Pant.

Pant was even harsher on Leach, whose nine runs cost 71 runs.

Pant and Jadeja changed the match by their massive stand, which rumbled at over five-and-a half an hour.

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England looked a bit ragged during the final session. Stokes had four wild byes, Crawley had four overthrows and Ethan Brookes was sub-fielder. Root also bounced, which Pant then slapped for four.

This could be the most important test of Stokes leadership and England's brand new philosophy. Let's see what they do with the bat. It won't be defensive.

After Pant's departure, Stokes bounced out Shardul Thkur but Mohammed Shami survived with Jadeja83 not out.