Rishabh Pant’s Brilliant Tactical Move Sparks ‘Captaincy’ Discussions

New Delhi: India B’s Rishabh Pant made a real impact on the third day of this Duleep Trophy encounter against India A in Bengaluru as he picked up a scintillating half-century in the second innings. Coming after a modest seven-run return in the first innings, Pant dazzled with 61 from 47 balls that included nine fours and two sixes to help India B extend their lead. India B, who had secured a 90-run first-innings lead, had reached 321 earlier and India A replied with 231.

In addition to his explosive batting, Rishabh Pant also excelled with his wicketkeeping skills and was actively involved in strategy discussions behind the stumps.

Although Abhimanyu Easwaran is the designated captain of India B, Rishabh Pant took a proactive role, actively advising the bowlers on their strategies and placements.

Pant even sought the advice of pacer Navdeep Saini, who dismissed Dhruv Jurel on the last ball of the over. After discussion with Pant, Saini bowled a cross-seam delivery which trapped Jurel plumb in front of the stumps.

Former India opener WV Raman, from the commentary box, lauded Pant for demonstrating his leadership acumen.

“It doesn’t matter who is the captain. Rishabh Pant is always a leader in the field. The chat he had in the break… He suggested a few things to Saini and looks like it has worked,” Raman was heard as saying on air.

Meanwhile, Pant’s efforts helped India B extend their lead to 240 runs against India A by stumps.

On a day on which 14 wickets fell, Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar took top honours in India B’s 90-run first-innings lead after dismissing India A for 231 in 72.4 overs. India B, meanwhile, lost three quick wickets in their second innings, of which two fell to Akash Deep.

Pushed, Pant stitched a 72-run alliance off 55 balls for the fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan, who belted 46 off 36 balls, and notched up his first fifty on return to red-ball cricket. However, the fall of Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the final 30 minutes gave India A a slender chance as India B enjoyed a sizeable lead.