Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was batting exceptionally well alongside KL Rahul when the former was run-out by England captain Ben Stokes at the stroke of lunch on Day 3 of the Lord's Test.
The southpaw was on 74 and the fourth-wicket stand with Rahul was worth nearly 150 when he set off for a quick single off Shoaib Bashir’s bowling in the final over of the first session.
Stokes, who had experienced a frustrating morning on Saturday with little going England’s way, picked up the ball at cover point and hurdle a throw towards the non-striker’s end with pinpoint accuracy.
The English players erupted in celebrations even before umpire Sharfuddoula decided to consult the third umpire to confirm Pant’s dismissal.
Indian fans weren’t too pleased with Pant’s call for a risky single that ultimately brought his downfall at the stroke of lunch.
Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara was among those who felt the single was unnecessary from the left-hander.
“It was not needed. I don’t know whether it was Rishabh or KL who wanted that run. Things were going so smoothly. Rishabh will be disappointed with that,” Pujara said during commentary.
Taking to social media platform X, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said Rishabh Pant deserved a century at Lord’s. “What a way to get out after batting so so well. Rishabh pant’s this innings deserved 100 n more,” Pathan wrote.
Meanwhile, netizens were reminded of Sunil Gavaskar’s viral ‘stupid’ remark after Rishabh Pant’s run-out at the Home of Cricket.
Gavaskar came up with “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” remark on-air after Pant threw his wicket away during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at MCG last December.
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