When he so chooses, Rishabh Pant can stonewall like the best in the business. But when the mood seizes him, he can also fuse adventurism with the orthodox, a heady mix that manifested itself at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday.

The wicketkeeper-batter unleashed an electric 66, at almost a run a ball, to deflect much of the limelight away from the bowlers and thrust India into the driver’s seat in the first Test against Sri Lanka. Pant’s blazing effort headlined India’s modest 193 all out on the fourth day, giving them an overall lead of 371 and asking Sri Lanka to mount their second highest successful chase in Test history. The hosts stuttered and stumbled to 84 for four when bad light halted play, needing a further 288 for the unlikeliest of victories.