New Zealand XI and India have been playing a three-day practice match at Seddon Park before the two-match Test series which will begin on 21 February. Despite the practice match ended in a draw, the players entertained the crowd with many individual batting and bowling performances. Chesteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari’s scintillating centuries along with Mohammed Shami’s brilliant spells and Mayank Agarwal’s top-notch knock were included as well. However, Rishabh Pant took the limelight away from others.
After facing humiliation and being scrutinized constantly for his poor glovework and batting, the youngster showed his batting ability against New Zealand XI by smashing a quick-fire 70 which included 4 fours and 4 sixes. The highlight of Pant’s innings was his consecutive sixes straight down the ground off New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi.
After the right-hand opener Mayank Agarwal got retired out and Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant steadied India’s innings to ensure that they don’t suffer from other middle-order woes. The wicketkeeper was also supported by Wriddhiman Saha, who scored 30 as the scoreboard showed 252/4.
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Rishabh Pant lost his place from Team India after KL Rahul was given the responsibility of keeping the wickets as well as batting in the middle-order when needed. Pant failed to deliver consistent performances and eventually dropped from the squad after the first ODI against Australia at home after he got a concussion.
After missing the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand, he will be eager to bounce back on the international scene by producing consistent performances in the Test series. Despite Wriddhiman Saha’s presence as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the longer format, Pant can prove to be a handy choice in the middle-order as well.
He has played 11 Tests so far and has smashed 754 runs including two tons and two half-centuries. An impressive overseas Test tour can prove beneficial for him who is looking forward to a comeback in India’s limited-overs setup. The first Test between New Zealand and India will begin from February 21 at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Thread: Pant goes downtown for back-to-back sixes off Sodhi. (1/2)#Pant #RishabhPant #NZX1vIND pic.twitter.com/2rO8Xv5io5
— Yash Mittal 🇮🇳 (@im_yash2307) February 15, 2020
