Rishabh Pant missed his hundred by just one run in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand.
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant entertained everyone with his blistering knock of 99 runs on Day 4 of the first Test match against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
When Pant came to the crease at No. 5, the hosts were trailing the Kiwis by 125 runs in the second innings. However, the southpaw batted with aggressive intent right from the outset.
Pant reached his half-century off 55 deliveries and stitched a partnership of 177 runs for the fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan (150), helping India wipe out the deficit and secure a lead.
Rishabh Pant was a run away from his seventh Test hundred before being cleaned up by Tim Southee off an inside-edge. His innings lasted 105 balls and it was laced with nine boundaries and five sixes.
The highlight of Pant’s knock was a gigantic six he smashed against Southee during the 87th over of India’s second innings.
It was an audacious shot as Pant went down on one knee and slog-swept it over square-leg for a 107-meter monster. That hit left the Kiwi fielders and non-striker KL Rahul in awe.
Here’s the video:
Coming to the match, the visitors went to the Tea break on Day 4 with an edge, having dismissed Sarfaraz, Pant and KL Rahul in quick succession.
India had extended their lead to 82 runs with 438/6 on the board in the second innings. They will hope Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin add some crucial runs and take the lead to somewhere around 200 runs.