Rishabh Pant survived a remarkable scare on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, escaping a bizarre potential dismissal by the narrowest of margins. The incident occurred when Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando bowled a well-directed short delivery aimed at Pant’s leg stump. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter appeared caught between ducking and swaying away from the ball and could not fully commit to either option.
The delivery climbed sharply into Pant’s body and struck him on the shoulder. The ball then looped into the air and dropped dangerously close to the stumps before landing just behind them.
For a brief moment, Pant was staring at the possibility of one of the most unfortunate dismissals in cricket. Had the ball travelled only a few centimetres differently, it could have fallen onto the stumps after deflecting off his shoulder, resulting in a bizarre played-on dismissal.
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The close call immediately attracted attention from the players and spectators at the Colombo venue. Pant, who is renowned for his fearless and unconventional batting approach, was clearly fortunate to escape after the ball landed just behind the stumps.
Fernando’s delivery was particularly effective because of its line and length. The Sri Lankan fast bowler had already caused significant problems for India’s batting lineup and was using the short ball to restrict Pant’s options. By targeting the leg stump, Fernando cramped the left-hander for room and forced him into an uncomfortable position.
🔥By the narrowest of margins, Rishabh Pant survives — the ball dips inches short of hitting the stumps. 💥🔥#pant #indvsSL #CricketUpdates pic.twitter.com/39637RseOx
— Indian FOX🦊 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@2ABHAY) August 24, 2026
Pant’s reaction to the delivery highlighted the difficulty of dealing with such a ball. He was caught between ducking and moving away, leaving his shoulder exposed. Once the ball struck him, its trajectory took it towards the stumps, creating the possibility of an extremely unusual dismissal.
The moment also demonstrated why well-directed short deliveries can be so effective against aggressive batters. When a batter is unsure whether to evade or attack a bouncer, even a slight hesitation can create an opportunity for the bowler.
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For Pant, however, fortune was firmly on his side. The ball missed the stumps by a tiny margin and allowed him to continue his innings.
The escape came during an important phase of India’s innings, with Pant playing a key role in building the visitors’ total alongside Dhruv Jurel. Fernando’s four-wicket spell had kept Sri Lanka in the contest, but Pant’s ability to survive such moments once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of Test cricket.
