Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant smashed a quick-fire 73-ball hundred against Australia A in the pink-ball tour match. He scored 22 runs in the last over of the day's play to score the remaining 19 runs while batting on 81*.
Pant talked about his innings on BCCI.tv and shared his conversation with Hanuma Vihari before the hundred. He also said getting hit on the stomach made him angry.
“When I went out to bat a lot of overs were left, so (Hanuma) Vihari and I wanted to build a good partnership. We wanted to bat as much as possible. I was just trying to give myself as much time as possible and slowly I started to develop confidence,” Pant told the BCCI’s official website.
“As I approached my century, I realized I needed some 20-odd runs [I think] to get it. My first reaction was that I won’t be able to get it tonight. When the first ball hit me on my stomach, it made me angry. That’s when I said to myself ‘Now, I have to try going for a couple of shots’.
"Vihari came and told me ‘the century can be completed; you should try to go for it. Else, bat tomorrow and get there without any rush. I said ‘I’ll try. If I can get it, well and good. In the flow, the bowler kept bowling and I kept hitting.”
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Pant ended up scoring 103 not out on just 73 deliveries with nine fours and six sixes. He said the innings was a much-needed confidence booster before the Test series.
“This hundred has been a big confidence-booster for me. It’s been a month, I am in Australia but I didn’t get the chance to play in the first practice match because of a stiff neck,” Pant said. “In the first innings here, I was unlucky as I felt the LBW decision was wrong from the umpire. In the second innings, my focus was to spend as much time as possible and the result is I got a good inning under my belt.”
Apart from batters getting runs in the second practice match, the bowlers also managed to put on a good show in the first innings. They bowled out Australia A on just 108.
“In the first innings, we got out a little early because there was a lot of moisture on the wicket. In the second innings, we got an idea about the wicket...so in the second innings everyone tried and applied more,” he said.
“The batting unit was keen to spend as much time as possible in the middle. It was necessary to play the practice match with the pink ball. The bowlers bowled well, the batsmen got good time at the crease. Everyone did well, so I think we got very good practice because playing under lights is little difficult.”
(With BCCI.tv Inputs)
