Every opportunity for Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant is important in such prevailing circumstances. He has somewhere lost his place in shorter formats. Luckily, the wicketkeeper-batsman got a nod ahead of Wriddhiman Saha in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.
Pant had the chance to impress with his bat but the player missed the opportunity. In windy Wellington, India’s top order struggled to give a good start then Ajinkya Rahane and Pant showed some promise. They both set the momentum which lacked on Day 1 of the Wellington Test.
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However, Rahane’s ambition for a single costed the youngster’s wicket. In the 59th over, Rahane struck the ball to backward point and soon ran for a run. It looked easy run but then Ajaz Patel moved swiftly. The spinner released the ball in no time when Pant ball watching was not ready for a run. At the same time, Rahane had come close to the non-striker’s end and an extra-ordinary throw caught Pant way short of his crease.
And, Patel’s accurate throw led all of the efforts of Pant into vain. He had batted so well and had to walk off for a 53-ball 19 runs as India continued to struggle. Soon, Virat’s deputy was also sent back by the veteran Tim Southee. After Rahane’s wicket, India consecutively lost the wickets and was bundled out for 165 runs.
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Taking to Twitter, the users showed sympathy for Rishabh Pant while blaming Rahane for the run-out.
Here are some twitter reactions:
https://twitter.com/JaspritF/status/1231052454021795847?s=20
https://twitter.com/Arsh2323Arsh/status/1231051673495199744?s=20
#NZvIND #INDvNZ #INDvsNZTestCricket
After making Pant run out, Rahane to Rishabh Pant pic.twitter.com/qkg5GqZYh7— Ahluwalia Sahab (@ChiragAhluwali6) February 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/Shikharai07/status/1231036170835914752?s=20
https://twitter.com/magnet_bloke/status/1231019446766047233?s=20
https://twitter.com/magnet_bloke/status/1230999797571538944?s=20
https://twitter.com/magnet_bloke/status/1230999017691086848?s=20