Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant is a different kind of beast when he is playing the longest format of the game. He has been a sensational player for India in his short career in red ball cricket and has been an ultimate match winner in difficult conditions. During the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pant stepped up for his team yet again when they were under pressure. He mixed aggression with calculated shots to take the attack to the Kiwi bowlers under pressure.
One of the big six that he hit was against Tim Southee when he was on 12. On the first ball of the 61st over, Southee bowled a full length delivery to Pant and the wicketkeeper-batter hammered the delivery with full monty right over the side screen. It was a sensational shot from Pant and it was clear that very moment that the youngster was going to take the attack to the Kiwi bowlers.
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant stood up for India in the second innings
Coming to the game, India were under tremendous pressure, when they were bowled out for just 46 runs in the first innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant being the only batters to reach double digits. The Kiwis matched it up with 402 runs in their first innings and had a lead of 356 runs. With massive pressure on the team, India batters responded brilliantly with captain Rohit Sharma scoring a half-century and the senior pro, Virat Kohli matching it up with a 70 runs innings.
Sarfaraz Khan smashed his maiden hundred and got out for 150 runs. Pant is batting on 89 and looks set to get to a century. India looks to be in commanding situation now with a big turn around and have already got a 52 runs lead during the time of writing. It is going to be an interesting one and half days from here.
