Rishabh Pant, a star batter and wicket-keeper for India was denied his hundred by just one run as he was dismissed, rather unluckily, on 99 in the ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Pant was batting on 99 when Kiwi pacer William O’Rourke bowled a delivery from around the wicket that clipped the inside edge of his bat and crashed into the stumps. He was back at the crease after a slight knee injury, with Dhruv Jurel doing his wicketkeeping duties. On Day 4, Pant pleased everyone with his explosive inning – one that was destined to end in disappointment.
WATCH- Rishabh Pant Steals The Show With 107m Six
One hit that will always be remembered for him during the knock was a gigantic six off Tim Southee measured 107 meters combined with both power and timing as it sailed onto the roof of M Chinnaswamy Stadium. But just a few deliveries later, Pant tried to cut a delivery and somehow chopped onto his stumps, leaving the crowd stunned into stunned silence.
𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸! 😍
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant smacks a 1⃣0⃣7⃣m MAXIMUM! 💥
Live – https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/4UHngQLh47
India’s Batting Struggle Against New Zealand
Rishabh Pant returned to the batting crease after being rested on Friday as a result of a knee injury, initially Pant made a stellar comeback from a serious car accident at the end of December 2022 that sidelined him for more than a year.
As wickets continued falling, Matt Henry then effectively shut the Indian innings to a seam, taking two wickets in one over. India resumed at 231-3 but collapsed, losing seven wickets for just 54 runs after New Zealand took the second new ball in the 81st over. O’Rourke, a rookie, bowled three consecutive maiden overs, finishing with impressive figures of 7-114 across both innings.
Before lunch, Sarfaraz Khan completed his century off the back of a boundary down towards the square leg fence off Southee; he received a warm hug from Pant and a standing ovation from the rest of the fans and his team. Sarfaraz celebrated his first Test century in four appearances when he fell soon after, caught by Taylor at cover off Tim Southee after scoring 150.
