Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant announced his return to international with a blazing half-century against Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup warm-up fixture on Saturday. In the absence of Virat Kohli, Pant walked out to bat at No. 3 after skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat. He fired a 32-ball 53, with 4 sixes and as many boundaries, setting the base for India’s 182/5 in 20 overs.
IND vs BAN Live Score T20 World Cup Warm-up Match
Pant made the most of the second chance he received after surviving a horrific car crash in December 2022. He carted Bangladesh bowlers around with an array of shots, such as a stand-still flick off Sowmya Sarkar to fine-leg for a boundary or back-to-back sixes to veteran all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. But his one-handed six off off-spinner Mahmudullah Riyad stole the show.
It was the 9th over when Pant showcased his classic one-handed maximum, depositing the ball into the long-on stand. The delivery from Mahmudullah was tad fuller and Pant swiped it into the orbit.
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Pant notched up his fifty off 32 balls before retiring himself. There were also handy contributions by Suryakumar Yadav (31, 18b, 4×4) and Hardik Pandya (40 not out, 23b, 2×4, 4×6) as India moved to a competitive total despite not having any single big partnership in their innings.
Shivam Dube, who was dropped on four, could not exploit the let-off and was dismissed for a 16-ball 14 and at that stage, India were 130 for four after 14.4 overs.
India needed some acceleration and Pandya provided just that. Pandya, who was dropped on 26, slammed three consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam which were a treat to watch for their power and neat execution.
His innings and confidence might have immensely pleased the team management and himself after a modest outing as Mumbai Indians’ captain in a season where he was subjected to intense professional and personal scrutiny.
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