India’s wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, engaged in a heated exchange with Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Litton Das during the first Test. The incident took place on Day 1 during the opening session at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, when Pant attempted a quick single.
The tension between the two players arose after Pant and his partner ran a single following a deflection off Pant’s pads, which traditionally doesn’t result in runs. Litton Das expressed his frustration to Pant, sparking the verbal altercation.
This match marked Pant’s return to Test cricket after a long absence due to injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022. Although he made his initial comeback in the IPL 2024, followed by representing India in the T20 World Cup 2024, this was his first appearance in the longer format since his recovery. Before this, Pant had also played in the Duleep Trophy 2024, scoring a half-century in his red-ball return. Pant was selected ahead of Dhruv Jurel, who had made an impressive debut during India’s recent series.
Argument between Litton das & Rishabh pant.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/P4Wrf170UJ
— Sports With Naveen (@sportscey) September 19, 2024
India faced early setbacks, losing their top three batsmen quickly. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed for 6 runs each, while Shubman Gill departed without scoring. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud, who debuted earlier in 2024 and made an impact during their Test series win over Pakistan, capitalized on favourable conditions, claiming all three wickets in the opening session.
Despite the early blows, Pant, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, steadied India’s innings with a crucial half-century partnership for the fourth wicket. By lunch, India reached 88/3, with Jaiswal on 37 and Pant on 33, though Pant had a lucky escape when he was dropped on 27. Bangladesh, continuing their form from a 2-0 sweep against Pakistan, aimed to break the partnership and restrict India to a low first-innings score, knowing they would have to bat last against India’s potent spin attack.
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