In an entertaining clash of words and willpower, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant and England opener Ben Duckett added spice to Day 3 of the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s. A stump mic picked up a cheeky exchange between the two, as Pant—already battling through pain from a finger injury—remained as sharp with his tongue as with his bat.
Duckett, seemingly frustrated by India’s patient approach with the bat, tried to throw Pant off his rhythm. With a smirk, he asked, “Are you playing for a draw?” But Pant, never one to shy away from a bit of on-field banter, delivered a quick-fire response: “Yeah, just like you.” The remark, aimed squarely at England’s unusually cautious start on Day 1, where Duckett and Zak Crawley had managed just 39 runs in the first 13 overs, turned the tables.
WATCH – Zak Crawley Denies Rishabh Pant A Six with Stunning Save at Lord’s
The English opener was left speechless, walking back to his fielding spot with a grin and no comeback. This little exchange quickly went viral, with fans praising Pant for his wit and unshaken focus despite nursing a painful left index finger, which had earlier ruled him out of wicketkeeping duties in the match.
— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578) July 12, 2025
As if the verbal duel wasn’t enough, England skipper Ben Stokes then took matters into his own hands. Knowing Pant was vulnerable, Stokes set a leg-side trap and unleashed a barrage of short balls targeting Pant’s ribs and shoulders. Pant, clearly in discomfort, didn’t flinch. He absorbed the blows and responded with calculated aggression, pushing through pain with trademark flair.
But just before lunch, Stokes had the last laugh. In a moment of brilliance, he capitalised on a miscommunication between Pant and KL Rahul. Standing at cover, Stokes collected the ball and unleashed a bullet throw to the non-striker’s end, catching Pant inches short of his ground.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant’s Gritty Knock Ends in Costly Run-Out Just Before Lunch at Lord’s
Pant’s gritty 74 off 112 balls, filled with character and class, included eight boundaries and two towering sixes. He stitched together a vital 141-run partnership with Rahul for the fourth wicket, rescuing India from early trouble and steering them into a strong position at Lord’s. While England finally broke through, Pant had already won hearts—with his bat, his bravery, and a mic-drop moment that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
