WATCH: Rishabh Pant Takes On Lankan Spinner Embuldeniya; Smashes 20 Runs In An Over
India vs Sri Lanka: Rishabh Pant is a name in Indian cricket, especially in Tests who rises to the occasion when the team needs it middle-order batter the most. The 24-year old yet again came to his team's aide as he scored 96 runs in the ongoing 1st test match between India and Sri Lanka.
After losing Virat Kohli (45) and Hanuma Vihari (58) in quick succession, India were looking in a spot of bother at 175/4 with two new batters at the crease. However, the fearless Indian left-handed batter knew it was his time to shine, the perfect circumstances for a 'Rishabh Pant' show.
Lasith Embuldeniya, the Lankan left-arm orthodox bowler, and Sri Lanka's only specialist spinner in the playing XI, looked dangerous as he first dismissed Mayank Agarwal (33) and then Virat Kohli (45). Rishabh Pant likes both the things - to take on spinners and to take on challenges head-on.
In the 76th over of India's first innings, Rishabh Pant took on Embuldeniya with all his skills, power & determination, smacked the left-arm bowler for 20 runs in the over. Pant started the over with a six, as he moved down the track to smack the ball over wide long-on. Even though there were fielders at mid-wicket and long-on, Pant was confident he would clear them and so he did.
The Indian batter followed it with another six, as he once again danced down the track and smashed the flighted delivery a long way straight into the stand at deep mid-wicket. Pant went on to toy with Sri Lanka's best bowler in the match till now, as he smacked two more boundaries in the over, on the 3rd and the last delivery.
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While talking about the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss & opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the 1st test of the 2-match series between India and Sri Lanka, being played at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Indian batters proved this decision right as collective efforts from all the batters helped India post 357/6 at stumps on Day 1. Rishabh Pant remained the top scorer with his 96, while Hanuma Vihari and Virat Kohli also helped their team with a 90-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.