WATCH: Rishabh Pant opens up about viral moment when he set Bangladesh’s field in Chennai Test, says THIS
Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant made a sensational comeback into Test cricket after a gap of nearly two years. Pant notched up his sixth Test century in India’s 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Chennai.
One of the most viral moments of the Test match also involved Pant, who was seen setting the field for Bangladesh team during his second innings century. Pant was taking guard as Bangladesh made changes in their field set-up.
On the stump mic, the Delhi Capitals skipper was heard saying, “O bhai, idhar aayega yeh fielder (please bring the fielder here),” which left the commentary panel in splits.
Watch Rishabh Pant setting the field HERE…
Always in the captain’s ear, even when it’s the opposition’s!
Never change, Rishabh Pant! #INDvBAN #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/PgEr1DyhmE
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 21, 2024
A day after India’s win in Chennai, Pant opened up about the ‘amazing’ moment in a video posted by the BCCI on social media platform ‘X’ and said, “I think the understanding of the game for me is that cricket should improve wherever you play. So I was just trying to help the team that you can set a fielder here, and it was amazing. Actually, I enjoyed it.”
A fiery ton, match-winning partnership and that field setting moment
Chennai Centurion Rishabh Pant reflects on a memorable Test comeback #TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @RishabhPant17 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/uea5UlGbIR
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 23, 2024
After being involved in a life-threatening card accident in December 2022, Pant returned to Test cricket with a brilliant 109-run knock in the second innings. His aggressive strokes combined with defensive display, pummeling Bangladesh bowlers, evoked a wave of nostalgia among the Indian fans.
He made a promising start on his return in the first inning with 39 off 52 deliveries. But eventually, he failed to capitalise on it and lost his wicket to in-form Hasan Mahmud.
“I think I was very nervous. I was very jittery, but you know there was some fire inside that. I wanted to make it happen, and eventually, I did it, and I’m happy. But like not thinking about that too much, but still happy after what I did yesterday,” Pant added.
Pant was involved in a brilliant 167-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Shubman Gill, who also scored a century. “I think one thing I have understood over a period of time is that when you have a great relationship outside the field or off the field, it really helps to bat with that guy. I think because when you share a great bond outside, you understand how that other person is thinking about how the game is moving around, and we were just having fun, having fun chats, talking about the game a little bit,” Pant said.
“But at the same time, because at the end of the day, we both knew what we wanted to do. We were just trying to make ourselves relax and just wanted to stitch a great partnership, very regular,” Pant added.
(with ANI inputs)