Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been under the pump for his white-ball form. Pant, who has taken Test cricket like fish to water, hasn’t quite taken the limited-overs by storm so far. However, on Sunday, against England, in a series decider, with India on the ropes at 72-4, Pant showed he can bat in an ODI game.
Pant took his time in the early stage of his innings, as the situation demanded him to play cautiously. Subsequently, towards the end when he got settled at the crease, he took the actual Rishabh Pant’s avatar.
Pant scored 125 runs off just 113 balls, which is maiden ODI hundred to help India beat England by five wickets at Old Trafford, Manchester. Thus, the visitors claim the series by 2-1, which is their first ODI series triumph in England since 2014.
Pant had the rub of the green on his side as Jos Buttler missed a stumping chance when the left-hander was only on 18. Not only did that miss cost England 107 runs more from Pant’s blade but also it led them to a series loss.
The southpaw added 133 runs with Hardik Pandya, who came up with an impressive all-around performance. Pandya returned with 4-24, which is his best bowling figure in ODIs, and then scored 71 runs to help tourists get close to the run-chase of 260 runs.
Pant, who likes to bat aggressively, said he wanted to take one ball at a time and play according to the match situation. The left-hander also gave credit to the Indian bowlers, who were brilliant right throughout the tour.
Rishabh Pant said in the post-match presentation after he was awarded the Player of the Match, “Hopefully I remember (this knock) for the rest of my life. I was focusing on one ball at a time when I was batting. When your team is under pressure and you bat like that .. something I aspire to do. I always enjoy playing in England, at the same time enjoy the atmosphere and the situation. The more you play the more experience you gain. Nothing to take away from the bowlers, it was a good wicket to bat on and the bowlers did a commendable job to restrict them, they were brilliant not only today but for the entire series.”
India will now take on West Indies in three ODIs and five T20Is.
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