India opener Rohit Sharma has praised Rishabh Pant for his heroic knock against Gujarat Lions.

Delhi Daredevils youngster Rishabh Pant has once again showed why is he considered as the next big thing in Indian cricket after playing a blistering knock of 97 off just 43 balls to help the Daredevils chase down a mammoth total against Gujarat Lions in the 2017 Indian Premier League match at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday (May 4).

The left-handed batsman, who had overcome the loss of his father to play in the ongoing season, had got the starts in the previous matches but did not manage to convert them but made amends for them when his team needed him the most.

Chasing 208, the hosts went off to a worst possible start as their skipper Karun Nair departed with just 24 runs on the board. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Nair’s dismissal brought Pant on the pitch. He began his innings in fine fashion, hitting Basil Thampi over deep extra cover for a magnificent six. But the real carnage began from the fifth over bowled by Pradeep Sangwan as Pant slammed two consecutive sixes and a four.

Even after the end of the powerplay, Pant continued to hit the big shots and scored his fifty in just 27 deliveries by blasting Suresh Raina over deep mid-wicket for his fifth six. After going past 50, the hard-hitting left-handed batsman refused to slow down, blasting the experienced James Faulkner for a four and three sixes. Ace spinner Ravindra Jadeja was not spared either as the batsman raced to 97 off just 43 deliveries with the help of 6 fours and 9 sixes.

But just when it was looked like Pant would score his maiden IPL century, he edged a ball from Basil Thampi to the wicketkeeper. As expected, he was distraught by missing out on the century before Raina ran over to appreciate him for the stunning knock.

Meanwhile, the youngster has been garnering praise from all over and Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma has also congratulated him for the innings. The Indian batting star also said that Pant deserved a hundred.

“Deserved a hundred @RishabPant777 fearless knock. Well played #III,” the India opener tweeted.