"Mistakes Will Happen, But We're Going In The Right Way": Rishabh Pant After India vs South Africa T20I Series Ends In Draw

19.06.2022 - 21:15 sports.ndtv.com

India captain Rishabh Pant hailed the fighting spirit of the side after the hosts came back from two games down to take the five-match series against South Africa into the decider, which was washed out here on Sunday.

The wicketkeeper-batter said there are a lot of positives to take from the series that ended 2-2. "It might get a little bit frustrating, but there are a lot of positives, especially the way the whole team showed character after the series was 2-0.

We are trying to find different ways of winning matches, we are trying to play in a new way. "Mistakes will happen, but we are going in the right way," Pant said after the fifth and final match was called off due to rain. "I think this is the first time I've lost this many tosses at the same time, but it's not in my control, so I'm not thinking about it too much," he said when asked about his poor luck in the series, having lost all five tosses.

On his personal form, Pant said: "From a personal point of view I would like to contribute more to making my team win. I can only think about giving my 100 per cent as a player and captain." India and South Africa shared honours after the last game was called off with only 3.3 overs of play possible.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team Temba Bavuma Rishabh Pant Keshav Maharaj South Africa India

Rishabh Pant was the best Indian batter in the Edgbaston Test against England with a ton and a half-century. Though it was not enough to take India to a win, his performance with the bat was lauded by all. However, his white ball form has not been great. He did not have a stellar IPL and his performance in the T20I series against South Africa was also not that great. With the 2022 T20 World Cup in less than four months' time, Pant's form is going to be crucial.

India vs England 2022, 5th Test: I take my hat off to the way Rishabh Pant played, says Paul Collingwood

Paul Collingwood gave a massive compliment to India's young wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant who bailed out the visitors from a precarious situation with a superb century on day one of the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbston on Friday. Pant produced a phenomenal innings of 146 runs off just 111 balls, rescuing India from a very difficult 98/5 after being sent in to bat by England skipper Ben Stokes. Pant's record 222-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (83 not out) eventually helped the team go past the 300-run mark and reach 338/7 at stumps. "I take my hat off to the way Pant played. When you play against world class players, they can do world class things. And today he had his day," said Collingwood after the opening day's play.

India vs England, 5th Test: Maverick Rishabh Pant rescues India with blistering hundred on Day 1

Wicketkeeper's blazing 146 stuns England; 222-run partnership with Jadeja takes India from 98/5 to 338/7 on Day OneOval, Sydney, Gabba, Motera, Newlands, Edgbaston. The footprints of Rishabh Pant's freakish genius are fast adorning some of world cricket's most iconic venues. Friday was Edgbaston's turn to see why this young man from Delhi has become box office in Test cricket. DAY 1: AS IT HAPPENEDComing in at 64/3 after Ben Stokes won the toss and put India in, the ball seaming around under angry, dark skies and an all-time great in James Anderson putting on a seam bowling clinic, Pant went on to score the fastest hundred by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, getting there in only 89 balls. The hundred came courtesy a heart-stopping dive to complete the second run just an hour after tea, prompting coach Rahul Dravid in the dressing room to let out a full-throated scream.

5th Test: Phenomenal Rishabh Pant plots India's fight back with game-changing ton on Day 1

At 98 for five, India were staring down the barrel but Pant (146 off 111 balls) scripted a remarkable turnaround in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (83 batting off 163) as the duo shared a match changing 222-run stand off 239 balls. Pant, who rendered the England bowlers helpless, hammered 20 boundaries and four sixes, in his awe-inspiring effort. Day 1: As It HappenedThe rain in the morning meant only 73 overs could be bowled on the opening day.

India vs South Africa T20Is: The Indian Cricket Team Players' Report Card

There were many positives for the Indian cricket team in the recently-concluded T20I series against South Africa, as were the negatives. While KL Rahul was ruled out on the eve of the series, the contest saw the emergence of a new captain in Rishabh Pant. The young Indian side initially struggled to find a solid footing but gradually recovered to level the series 2-2. Though rain forced the fifth match to be abandoned as the series was shared by the two teams, there was lot to look forward to for the hosts. Here we take a look at the hits and misses for Team India in the series.

Dravid backs under-fire Pant after drawn South Africa T20 series

Coach Rahul Dravid said Rishabh Pant remained "integral" to India's plans despite concerns about his batting and leadership after the Twenty20 series against South Africa ended Sunday in a 2-2 draw.