A funny moment featuring Rishabh Pant occurred on Day 1 of the second India vs New Zealand Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 24. He suggested that Washington Sundar bowl a specific length to tailender Ajaz Patel. However, after Patel hit Sundar for a four, Pant realized the batter understood Hindi.
Ajaz Patel (36), born in Mumbai, is the fifth cricketer of Indian origin to play for New Zealand and one of only three bowlers to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings. On Thursday, Ajaz was unwittingly involved in a comical incident with Pant and Sundar, as Pant was heard on the stump mic advising the bowler:
“Washi aage daal sakta hai (You can bowl it a little fuller). Thoda bahar daal sakta hai (You can pitch it a little outside).”
Sundar appeared to heed the keeper’s advice and delivered a ball outside the off stump. However, left-handed batter Ajaz lifted the ball and hit a four over the leg side. After Ajaz finished his shot, Pant was once again heard on the stump mic saying:
“Yaar mereko kya pata ise Hindi aati hai (I didn’t realize he knows Hindi).”
You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/jiocinema/status/1849409684647887003?s=46
Ajaz was ultimately dismissed by Sundar for four runs off nine balls. The Kiwi southpaw attempted to block a flat delivery that spun slightly but ended up edging it back onto the stumps. Sundar, who was brought into the Indian team for the second Test, achieved career-best figures of 7-59 as the hosts bowled out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1 of the Pune Test.
Rishabh Pant has been impressive with the bat since his return to Test cricket
After nearly two years away from red-ball cricket due to a car accident, Pant made his comeback in September 2024 during the two-match home series against Bangladesh. Since his return, he has performed exceptionally well, batting as if he had never left.
https://x.com/jiocinema/status/1849398293002088550?s=46
Pant scored 39 and 109 in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, then added scores of nine and four (not out) in Kanpur. After being out for 20 in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he made a resilient 99 off 105 balls in the second innings.
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