The explosive young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant may mark a date of June 30, 2019, on his calendar to boast about his maiden appearance at the ICC World Cup 2019, but the way he stepped out to show commitment while showing some resistance has somewhat impressed legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Pant has made his World Cup debut against England in the twelfth edition of the ICC World Cup 2019 at Edgbaston.
The 20-year-old southpaw appeared as a forced inclusion after Vijay Shankar picked a toe injury which eventually ruled him out of the World Cup.
Despite fresh, in such mega ICC event, Pant has backed himself to make a ‘statement’ as per batting great, Tendulkar.
Pant walks in to make his World Cup debut:
While coming to bat at No. 4, Pant faced 29 deliveries to score 32. However, his innings came to an agonising end when airborne Chris Woakes claimed a sensational catch after running from deep square leg.
Batting first, Jonny Bairstow alongside Jason Roy plundered runs at will as they went on to post 160 in 22.1 overs. Bairstow 111 (109) registered his first World Cup hundred, whereas, Roy on his return scored 57-ball 66.
Despite, Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul, Ben Stokes’ 79 (54) late blitz helped England to post 337 for seven in 50 overs. On the other side, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav went for the plenty, as Jasprit Bumrah did what he is known for.
In response, India had a bleak start with KL Rahul returning on nought after facing nine deliveries.
However, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who brought his 25th ODI hundred and third of this World Cup kept India in the hunt with a 138-run partnership for the second wicket.
After the departure of Kohli 66 (76) and Rohit 102 (109), Pant alongside Hardik Pandya tried hard to accelerate and steady the ship, as their 28-run partnership came to a halt when Pant holed out at square leg on the first delivery of 40th over bowled by Liam Plunkett.
Besides, Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni slowed things down despite Dhoni whacking a couple of balls. Thus, India ends up on losing the game by 31 runs when they were restricted at 306 for five in 50 overs.
Sachin Tendulkar heaps praise on Rishabh Pant:
Despite India’s loss which could have sealed India’s semi-final spot, Tendulkar believes Pant has done his bit while making a ‘big statement’.
Tendulkar reiterated Pant is an aggressive style of player and he prefers to call him as ’dynamite’.
“Rishabh went out and made a big statement. But also the number of elements that one would have to look at, if there is an injury on the field then who comes and completes those overs (hinting at Vijay Shankar). What I saw of Rishabh, he’s always been a dynamic player, always been aggressive. I call him dynamite,” Sachin Tendulkar told India Today.
In conclusion, the Mumbaikar stated it has to be a decision of the management while adding things are considered according to a situation.
Now, with Shankar making way for Mayank Agarwal, it gives a fair idea that Kohli and Co will stick with Pant given to his brand of cricket.
“It would be unfair to stand here and pass judgements. What eventually the coach and captain feel in the dressing room, there are a number of things that come into play. What I saw of Rishabh Pant I liked but I leave the decision to the team management,” he concluded.
India has 11 points in seven games, and they will take on Bangladesh on Tuesday (July 2).