In India’s warm-up match against Bangladesh, Rishabh Pant made a notable comeback to the Indian team by scoring a brisk half-century. Pant came in at number three after opener Sanju Samson was dismissed LBW. He began cautiously but hit his first boundary in the fifth over against Mahedi Hasan towards mid-on.
He targeted the seasoned Shakib-al-Hasan, leveraging the favourable match-up to hit three sixes in Shakib’s second over. Pant soon employed his unconventional shots, including a reverse sweep that, though not perfectly timed, cleared the boundary over deep backward point.
Even after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, Pant maintained momentum, increasing the scoring rate with consecutive boundaries off Soumya Sarkar. You can watch the video here:
Spidey weaving his web! 🕸️#RishabhPant takes the attack to Bangladesh with a flurry of huge sixes! 🔥
📺 | #BANvIND | LIVE NOW | #T20WorldCupOnStar (Only available in India) pic.twitter.com/79iEgU118K
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 1, 2024
Pant showcased his signature one-handed swipe, hitting Mahmadullah for a six over long-on. He reached his fifty in style, scoring a boundary off Shakib-al-Hasan, and finished with 53 runs from 32 deliveries. Pant then retired himself to allow other batters time at the crease.
Seeing Pant strike the ball so well is encouraging, as the Indian team will need him to maintain this form in the middle-order, assuming he is utilized in that role. India’s strategy remains uncertain, including whether Virat Kohli will open the innings or bat at number three, and the rest of the batting lineup is still unknown.
The Men in Blue will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The game is scheduled for June 5 at 8 PM IST.
“Not every player will be able to…” – Sourav Ganguly highlights the significance of Rishabh Pant for India in the T20 World Cup
Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly emphasized Rishabh Pant’s significance in the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential impact on the tournament.
Pant, returning to the national squad after a 16-month hiatus due to a tragic accident, missed several key matches including the 2023 ICC World Cup and the ICC World Test Championship Final.
However, his remarkable performance in the 2024 IPL paved his way back into the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. Pant’s history of delivering in crucial matches makes him a crucial asset for India, especially given his ability to handle pressure.
Expected to be the primary wicketkeeper for India, Pant aims to replicate his IPL form in the T20 World Cup, contributing to India’s quest to end their ICC title drought, with their last victory dating back to 2013.
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