Rishabh Pant, India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman, has made a powerful comeback in red-ball cricket. After being out of action for almost 21 months, Pant is back, and he’s already showing signs of his old self. In the ongoing Duleep Trophy match, Pant, playing for India-B, hit a blazing half-century in the second innings, leaving fans in awe of his aggressive batting style.
Pant’s return to the red-ball format is crucial, as he is preparing for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. In this match against India-A, Pant played a vital role in taking his team’s lead beyond 200 runs with a brilliant knock of 61 runs off just 47 balls.
First Inning Struggles
Pant didn’t have a great start in the first innings. He managed only 7 runs off 10 balls before losing his wicket while trying to hit a big shot. His early dismissal was a bit of a disappointment, but Pant didn’t let it affect him for long.
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Storming Back in the Second Innings
In the second innings, Rishabh Pant came out with a clear plan: attack. Right from the start, he took the India-A bowlers by surprise. He launched an aggressive assault, playing reverse scoops, pull shots, and showing off his full range of strokes. Pant made sure to punish any loose deliveries, and the bowlers, including Akash Deep, Khalil Ahmed, and Avesh Khan, had no answers.
Pant’s highlight moment came when he played a reverse scoop shot against Akash Deep, sending the ball racing to the boundary. He followed it up with some powerful pull shots, putting immense pressure on the bowlers. Pant reached his half-century in just 34 balls, showcasing his trademark aggressive style.
To bring up his fifty, Pant smashed a four and a six in the same over off spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Though his innings didn’t last long, he made sure to do the damage, scoring 61 runs, hitting 9 boundaries and 2 massive sixes, in just 47 deliveries.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Redemption
While Pant grabbed the headlines, Sarfaraz Khan also made an impact in the second innings. Like Pant, Sarfaraz struggled in the first innings, scoring only 9 runs, while his brother Musheer Khan stole the show with a memorable 181-run knock. However, in the second innings, Sarfaraz came out determined to make amends.
Though his younger brother couldn’t open his account this time, Sarfaraz took charge and played an aggressive innings. He showed no mercy to Akash Deep, smashing 5 consecutive fours in one over. Sarfaraz played a quickfire knock of 46 runs in just 36 balls before getting out.
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Pant’s Road to Recovery
Pant’s journey back to cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. After a serious car accident in December 2022, where his career seemed in jeopardy, Pant returned to T20 cricket earlier this year, featuring in the IPL. He then made his ODI comeback during the Sri Lanka tour. However, his return to Test cricket has been eagerly awaited, as Pant has been one of India’s most crucial players in the longest format in recent years.
The Duleep Trophy match was an important step for Pant to regain his rhythm before the Bangladesh series, and he has proven that he’s ready for the challenge.
With his explosive half-century and sharp wicketkeeping, Pant has shown that he’s back in top form and ready to take on the upcoming challenges. Fans are excited to see more of Pant’s magic as he continues his journey back to the Indian Test team.
