Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is back in Indian colors after more than a year and is sure to make an immediate impact. The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match between India and Bangladesh is underway at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.
Rishabh Pant, in the ongoing warm-up game against Bangladesh, came out to bat at No. 3 after India opted to bat first. The keeper-batsman came in to bat after Sanju Samson (1), who opened the innings, died in the second over of the game against Shoriful Islam.
Rishabh Pant took some time to get going as he was the first to make the fare deliveries. But once he got his eye in, the keeper-batsman made sure to exude his class with the bat and gave the fans glimpses of his former self as he played quite a few unorthodox shots.
Rishabh Pant broke free during the sixth over when he went berserk and took Shakib Al Hasan to the cleaners. The batsman hit the Bangladesh all-rounder for three sixes in one over and then did not look back as he hit bowlers all over the park.
Rishabh Pant also came up with his trademark one-handed six. The keeper-batsman on the third ball of the ninth over got the special shot out of him. The bowler bowled a full ball which the batsman approached with a one-handed stroke and sent it into the stands at long-off.
Here is the video:
pic.twitter.com/4j9r86aetk
– Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) June 1, 2024
Rishabh Pant seemed to be in good touch with the bat in the ongoing game. With the way he is playing, he would now have a lot of confidence ahead of the main tournament, which will begin on June 2 and India will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5.
With Sanju Samson not getting enough runs under his belt in the ongoing warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York, it looks like Rishabh Pant will be given preference among the 11 players for the main tournament.
Rishabh Pant scores a brave half-century on his return to India
Rishabh Pant played vital innings for his team in the ongoing warm-up match against Bangladesh. The keeper-batsman scored a magnificent half-century on his return to India and led his team to a decent total on the board after a shaky start.
Rishabh Pant highlighted his half-century in style. He hit Shakib Hasan for a four and reached the milestone. However, after closing the half-century, he left the park, allowing other batsmen to bat in the middle and get used to the conditions.
Rishabh Pant finished with 53 innings off 32 balls. He batted with a strike rate of over 165 and also scored 4 fours and 4 sixes in his innings. His form will be very positive for the team heading into the main tournament as India look to lift their second title.