Injuries prevented Rishabh Pant from playing for Team India, but he supported them in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand from his home. The intense match is happening at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Pant, closely following the semifinal on TV, And captured a picture of India captain Rohit Sharma batting in real-time. The wicketkeeper-batsman added a caption to his Instagram story:
“Let’s go India.”
For those not aware, Pant has not returned to the game after facing severe injuries in a car accident last year. The 26-year-old went through hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
His most recent game for India was in the Mirpur Test in December 2022. In recent months, Pant has been absent from significant tournaments such as the World Test Championship 2023 final, the Indian Premier League, and the ongoing 2023 World Cup.
He is expected to return during the 2024 England tour of India, specifically in the five-match Test series beginning in Hyderabad on January 25.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill make a dynamic beginning against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal
Choosing to bat, Team India captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill initiated a rapid start against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal. They collaborated for a 71-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Rohit played aggressively, scoring 47 runs from 29 balls, featuring four sixes and an equal number of boundaries. Tim Southee secured the initial breakthrough with Kiwi captain Kane Williamson making a high catch.
India and New Zealand are meeting for the second time in the ongoing 50-over tournament. India previously won by four wickets in Dharamshala.
They also faced off in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, where India won by 18 runs, but New Zealand lost the final to England in a super over on boundary count.
India secured the top position in the points table with nine consecutive wins. New Zealand won their first four games, then lost four, but secured a semifinal spot by winning their last league game.
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