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Gautam Gambhir, former Indian cricketer described gloveman Rishabh Pant’s reverse-flick off pacer Jofra Archer as a “courageous shot”. After the 4th Test between India and England at Motera in Ahmedabad, a lot of the talks doing the rounds revolved around Rishabh Pant’s beautiful reverse scoop-off veteran pacer James Anderson for a six.

The stunning shot earned him a lot of praise from the cricket fraternity and he promised at the post-match presentation ceremony that he would continue to play such shots which came in the very 1st T20I.

IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant Plays Astonishing Reverse Scoop Off Jofra Archer. — Rishabh Pant’s reverse scoop off Jofra Archer drew several reactions on social media.© BCCI

Gautam Gambhir Praises Rishabh Pant For His Amazing And Courageous Shot For Hitting A Reserve Flick

In the first T20I against England in the same stadium, Rishabh Pant once again hit a sensational reverse-flick off pacer Jofra Archer that went for a six. This one was even better as he looked completely settled while hitting his shot, and the ball travelled past the boundary ropes with ease.

Speaking on Star Sports, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir described it as a “courageous shot”.

“It was an amazing shot and a courageous shot as well. India had lost two wickets and he came to bat in the first 6 overs. It is a big chance for you and despite that, if you can play a shot like that against Jofra Archer,” Gautam Gambhir said.

Gautam Gambhir. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“It was a calculated shot as well because the third-man was brought up and deep square leg and fine leg were there. So, a very good shot,” Gautam Gambhir added.

Gautam Gambhir reckoned that it was an amazing and courageous shot since India had lost two wickets by the time he arrived in the first six overs. Gautam Gambhir was particularly enthralled that he did it against Jofra Archer, a bowler of the highest quality. Gautam Gambhir observed that Rishabh Pant’s shot was a calculated one too since Eoin Morgan had bought the third man up and deep square leg and fine leg was present.

Meanwhile, Indian batsmen had little to offer in the face of an outstanding English bowling effort on a two-paced track as the hosts received an eight-wicket hammering in the opening Twenty20 International here on Friday.

Shreyas Iyer Top Scores With 67 But England Overhauls The 125 Run Target Easily

Indian batsmen struggled to score freely before Shreyas Iyer showed the way with a dogged 67-run knock that took Virat Kohli’s men to 124 for seven at the Narendra Modi stadium. India was reeling at 20/3 but Shreyas Iyer bailed them out to reach a modest 124 by scoring 67 runs off 48 balls which included 8 fours and a six. England overhauled the target with ease in 15.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Jofra Archer was one of England’s many star performers in the match and did not concede a run from 16 of his 24 deliveries and got the wickets of KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur along the way. He returned with figures of 3/23 and was awarded Man of the Match.

Virat Kohli, who walked in to bat after KL Rahul was dismissed in the 2nd over of the 1st T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday, registered his first-ever consecutive duck in international cricket. In the preceding 4-match Test series, the 32-year-old had departed twice without opening his account. Spinner Adil Rashid, bowling with a new ball, dismissed Virat Kohli after Chris Jordan took a good catch at mid-off.

England lost 2 quick wickets of Jason Roy (49) and Jos Buttler (28) but Jonny Bairstow (26*) and Dawid Malan (24*) ensured England’s victory without further hiccups. India will face the visitors next on Sunday 14th March.