Rishabh Pant's 'Six-Hitting' Act Gives India Big Hope Amid Star's Injury Concern

18.10.2024 - 13:37 sports.ndtv.com

In a major boost for the Indian team, star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is likely to bat in the second innings of the ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand.

Amid concerns over his fitness, Pant was seen taking throwdowns during Tea break on Day 3, and was also padded up in the dressing room.

Pant was carried off the field on Day 2 due to a knee injury. He did not take the field on Day 3 as Dhruv Jurel returned to keep the gloves during New Zealand.

Since the ICC only allows a mid-match replacement in case of a concussion, Jurel can't bat in place of Pant in the second innings as a result.

cricket India Cricket Team New Zealand Cricket Team Dhruv Jurel India vs New Zealand 2024 Rohit Sharma Rishabh Pant Glenn Phillips New Zealand India

Pat Cummins has never been part of a victorious Test series campaign against India, and the Australian captain wants to erase that blemish from his CV during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting with the first match at Perth from November 22. Under the leadership of 31-year-old, Australia have won the World Test Championship, the ODI World Cup, both beating the Indians, and the Ashes, but never managed to beat India in a bilateral rubber in the traditional format.

From Rishabh Pant To KL Rahul, 5 Stars Making IPL 2025 Retention Buzz

Teams are currently finalising their player retention list ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, expected to be held next month. The IPL governing council has set October 31 as the deadline for the teams to submit their list. Ahead of the deadline, rumours have started floating on who the teams might keep heading into the IPL 2025 mega auction. With only a handful of days remaining for the deadline, let's take a look at five retention rumours that have been floating on social media:

Watch: Virat Kohli's Mix-Up With Rishabh Pant Deals India Big Blow, Internet Asks "Whose Fault?"

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was run out on duck after a mix-up with Virat Kohli on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand on Saturday. The incident happened in the 23rd over with India chasing a mammoth 359 target to level the series. Ajaz Patel bowled a good length ball to Kohli, who guided it towards short third man. Kohli looked at Pant, who was at non-striker's end, hoping to steal a single. Both trusted each other and went for the run. However, Mitchell Santner fired a throw towards the keeper's end and Tom Blundell did the rest. Pant seemed to be struggling despite making a desperate dive to get inside the crease.

Watch: Rishabh Pant's Kick Prank Scares Sarfaraz Khan. Internet Says 'Missed By Inches'

Rishabh Pant is an entertainer on the field. Be it his instinctive batting or his constant talking from behind the stumps, there is never a dull moment when Pant is around. Even when he is not playing, Pant is no less. In a video that has gone viral after the first day of the second India vs New Zealand Test in Pune, Rishabh Pant can be seen playing a 'kick prank' on Sarfaraz Khan while the team was in a huddle. Sarfaraz moved a step back after Pant's 'attempt'.

Watch: Rishabh Pant's Instruction Backfires, Says "Merko Kya Pata Hindi Aati Hai"

Rishabh Pant continues to amaze the fans of Team India and cricket with his stump mic gold. In the second Test between India and New Zealand at Pune, Pant was back to his vocal best from behind the stumps, in what proved to be terrific entertainment for viewers. With Washington Sundar returning to the Test side after nearly three years, Pant chose to give his words of wisdom from behind the stumps. However, Pant's advice seemed to backfire hilariously, as Sundar got hit for a boundary.

Rishabh Pant's Hilarious 'Body Language' Remark Caught On Stump Mic, Wins Internet

Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is well known for his witty comments from behind the stumps and his hilarious comment has once again gone viral on Day 1 of the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune on Thursday. With Devon Conway going strong against the Indian bowlers, Pant decided to boost the morale of the team by coming up with a brilliant 'body language' remark. "Chalo chalo dheela nahi hona, body language uthana padega bhaiyo (Come on, we need to up the body language)," he was caught saying on the stump mic as Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling.