Before the start of play on Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, there was some uncertainty about Rishabh Pant’s participation. The wicketkeeper-batter had taken a blow to his knee, and it was unclear whether he would take the field in India’s second innings.
However, Rishabh Pant defied expectations and walked out at No.5, partnering with Sarfaraz Khan to dismantle New Zealand’s bowling attack. Together, they helped India secure a crucial lead. Unfortunately, heartbreak awaited Pant as he fell agonizingly short of his seventh Test century, dismissed for 99—just one run shy of surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian keeper-batter.
Pant’s dismissal sent shockwaves through the Indian dressing room. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja were visibly distraught, and Virat Kohli, seated just behind them, looked stunned. KL Rahul, who was at the non-striker’s end, dropped to his haunches in disbelief. Despite the disappointment, the Bengaluru crowd rose to its feet to give Pant a standing ovation for his remarkable innings.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant’s Eventful Over Against Ajaz Patel Lights Up Bengaluru Test
As usual, Rishabh Pant’s knock was filled with flair and aggression. He took on New Zealand’s spinners, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, consistently going over the top for boundaries and sixes. He didn’t spare the tall pacer William O’Rourke either, charging down the pitch to hit him for a straight boundary. When the sun broke through after a cloudy morning, Pant capitalized on the batting-friendly conditions.
Nervous ninties and Rishabh Pant never ending story. The reaction says it all 💔 pic.twitter.com/klNRKAlpNx
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) October 19, 2024
However, it was O’Rourke who eventually had the last word. A short delivery kicked up more than Pant expected, causing him to misjudge his defensive shot and drag the ball back onto his stumps. This marked the seventh time Pant has been dismissed in the nineties in Test cricket. If he had converted all of those into centuries, his tally would stand at 13.
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It’s also worth noting that Pant missed the entire 2023 cricket season due to a car accident. Now back in form, his contributions, alongside Sarfaraz Khan’s 150, have put India in a strong position after a dismal first-innings collapse for 46.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also added crucial half-centuries as the Test match, despite rain delays, hurtles toward an exciting conclusion.
Rishabh Pant is a superhero! Loved by everyone, entertains, gets injured trying to fight, never gives up, does something extraordinary and eventually saves the day. 😂🕸️
Agonisingly short of a 💯, but WHAT A KNOCK! 🫡@RishabhPant17 | #PlayBold #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/PFVi9kLinG
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 19, 2024
PANT IS DAMN UNLUCKY 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZxrWg77gxY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2024
THIS IS HEARTBRRAKING. PANT DISMISSED ON 99 RUNS 🇮🇳💔#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/m2VtK5RdXZ
— Duggu 🙂 (@jaani5792) October 19, 2024
THE MOST HEARTBREAKING PICTURE OF THE DAY. 🥹💔
Rishabh Pant batted so well, even after struggling due to knee issues, he entertained like he does every time. 7th score in the 90s for Pant in Tests. 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZNzGZDZFCa
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant getting out on 99 but never changing his attitude pic.twitter.com/XUqIe6tYPb
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 19, 2024
This is the 7th time Rishabh Pant got out in 90s 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1zVVIfbHNI
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) October 19, 2024
159* at Sydney
146 at Edgbaston
114 at Oval
109 at Chepauk
101 at Ahmedabad
100* at Newlands
89* at Gabba
93 at Mirpur
97 at Sydney
96 at Chinaswamy
92 at Rajkot
92 at Hyderabad
91 at Chepauk
99 at ChinnaswamyRISHABH PANT IS BOX-OFFICE 🙇 pic.twitter.com/KYTPAlOFYU
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2024
“Selfless” like his captain, well played Rishabh pant 💪 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/bvUVtlwu5P
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 19, 2024