During the 19th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils at Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils’ wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant scored an of age half-century, his first of this season, fourth overall in the IPL.
Virat Kohli, captain of the Royal Challengers, had won the toss and chose to field. His bowlers supported his decision after they dismissed Gautam Gambhir and Jason Joy fairly cheaply. However, it was a 75-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant which brought back Delhi Daredevils into the match.
Pant per se played an innings of maturity, an innings which aided the Daredevils to register 174-5 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. He came in to bat at No. 4 in the sixth over when Roy 5 (16) was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal. The southpaw made his intentions clear with scoring a boundary on the first ball that he faced.
In the early phase of his innings, he realised the importance of his wicket as his team had already lost its openers. After getting his eye in, Pant started going for his shots. On the last delivery of the 17th over, with a four through the fine leg region, Pant completed his half-century.
Just when his team required him to finish the innings on a high note, Pant accumulated 18 runs off Chris Woakes’ last over. He started the over with a thwack which went for a six over the cover region. On the penultimate ball of the over, Pant unleashed the shot of his innings. He hit a Woakes’ full-toss for a four over the short third-man fielder via a fancy scoop shot. Watch the video of this innings:
https://vimeo.com/265899219
Pant followed it up with another four via a scoop, but this time over the short fine leg fielder. Pant eventually got out in the last over when he skied a Corey Anderson delivery to AB de Villiers at long on. He ended up scoring 85 (48) with the help of six fours seven sixes.
Watch how Twitterati reacted on Pant’s fourth IPL half-century:
Rishabh Pant. Tell me if this kid isn’t special talent? Some serious six-hitting ability…. #RCBvDD #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2018
That innings was as good as I have seen Rishabh Pant bat. Earlier seemed to be a young man in a hurry but this was very mature and he paced it really well.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 21, 2018
Let alone the fact that he’s a wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant deserves to be in the Indian Team for his powerful batting and sheer consistency…#RCBvDD #ReinventYourGame
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 21, 2018
Rishabh Pant Is Not Playing Cricket. None Of Those Are Cricketing Shots. Not Sure Where He Learned It All. Amazing Talent.🙏 #RCBvDD #RCBvsDD
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 21, 2018
Rishabh Pant..looks like a kid, plays like a master.
A genuine young talent.#RCBvDD— Dil Nawaz (@ConsiderMeHappy) April 21, 2018
Rishabh Pant..looks like a kid, plays like a master.
A genuine young talent.#RCBvDD— Dil Nawaz (@ConsiderMeHappy) April 21, 2018
What an innings from rishabh pant in a pressure situation… Should be a Future star for Indian cricket #RCBvDD #DilDilli #Dhadkega
— Ashwinkumar ASH (@Ashwinkumar__S) April 21, 2018
My lord! Rishabh Pant has done something really special here. Also #DD is this contest now after that dismal powerplay #RCBvDD
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 21, 2018
Ingenious, imperious batsman… Rishabh Pant !! Has been in terrific form since the start of 2018.. Did exceedingly well in Syed Mushtaq Trophy too earlier this year.. #RCBvDD #IPL2018 @RishabPant777
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 21, 2018
Rishabh pant !! What an innings #IPL2018 #RCBvDD
— Anshul Sharma (@AnshulS44868600) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/GautiCoverDrive/status/987725999948230657
https://twitter.com/its_shahkhan/status/987731195961135105
If only #RishabhPant can become a bit more consistent, he will be India's answer to #ChrisGayle and a good medium term choice for wicketkeeper batsman. #RCBvDD
— Ved Prakash Pati (@vppati) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/imJR_4/status/987726057796071424
https://twitter.com/TeaserTweets/status/987728070608998400
Our bowling might have been poor…. But that knock from Rishabh Pant was worth watching and applauding even if you are an @RCBTweets fan….. #VivoIPL #PlayBold
— BM Bhanuprakash (@imbmbp) April 21, 2018
