While it was Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match, Rishabh Pant stole the show with a breathtaking knock in the first innings of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali on Friday. Riding on Pant’s 96-run blitz, India ended the day at 357/6.
India dominated the first session but Sri Lanka managed to come back in the second session to have the game in the balance at the tea break or even when Shreyas Iyer departed with the score reading 228. Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari steadied the ship before getting out in quick succession but Rishabh Pant provided stability in the middle-order.
Pant exploded after that and took the attack to a tired Sri Lankan bowling attack. While his fifty came relatively slow, he changed gears as the Islanders were approaching towards the second new ball.
He raced from 50 to 96 off just 24 balls and his 100+ partnership with Ravindra Jadeja has put India on course to a score around 400. Just when things were looking bright for Rishabh Pant to bring another Test century, Suranga Lakmal breached his defense with the new ball to leave the wicket-keeper batsman stranded four short of his century.
The 24-year-old looked extremely dejected as he took the long walk back to the dressing room. However, the fans were elated to see Pant erupt in Mohali and entertain the crowds.
Here are some reactions:
Rishabh Pant is one hell of an exciting cricketer!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 4, 2022
The sad tune of the film 96 playing in my mind!
But what a knock – again, and again, and again, this freak of a player continues to amaze me! Rishabh Pant is special! #INDvSL
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) March 4, 2022
Absolutely love watching @RishabhPant17 !! A player who you can’t love .. don’t want to miss a ball he faces .. no idea what’s going on his head .. but it’s always a must watch .. I reckon he is the greatest modern day player entertainer ., #INDvSL
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 4, 2022
But it was entertaining and thrilling to watch while it lasted! What an innings by Rishabh Pant. So audacious! #INDvSL
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 4, 2022
Rishabh Pant will do to Test cricket what Adam Gilchrist did for us who grew up in 90s and 00s. Someone who plays the game freely and brings more people to the game, breathes fresh air into the game of cricket!
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 4, 2022
Just one of those regular reminders to myself, every time I see India play a Test match these days: I'll pay good money to watch Rishabh Pant on the field.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) March 4, 2022
5th time Rishabh Pant 🇮🇳 has been dismissed in the 90’s in the test cricket.
Imagine 5 more test centuries at age 24!#INDvSL #CricketTwitter @RishabhPant17— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) March 4, 2022
Doesn't matter whether it is on 96 or 196 — Rishabh Pant walking off a field after getting out is one of the most gut-wrenching sights in contemporary cricket. The demeanour of a kid who was just beginning to enjoy himself when mom yells at him to get back inside and do homework
— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) March 4, 2022
Rishabh Pant has woken up the spectators from their deep slumber. What a player, this guy!#INDvSL
— Prajakta (@18prajakta) March 4, 2022
As Pant hammers Sri Lanka my mind is full of conversations with late Ustaad Ji (Tarak Sinha) who would say "bahut bada player banega. Abhi mat likhna. Uska dimaag kharaab ho jayega." One can quote Ustaad Ji now. Pant will serve Indian cricket long. Ustaad Ji must be happy 👍
— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) March 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/ADSutherland_/status/1499699309771694080?s=20&t=yqm1_voYcsLc3k83HXiHwQ
Although India lost Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja scored some useful runs in the death to help the hosts propel to 357 runs. He is currently batting at 45 from 82 deliveries while Ravichandran Ashwin is batting at 10 from 11 balls.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
