Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant put the disappointment of his first-innings failure behind him to celebrate his Test comeback with a superb second-innings half-century against Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai on Saturday. Pant’s 12th fifty in Test cricket, came after a long gap of 639 days, following his recovery from a near-fatal accident. He reached the 50-run mark in 88 balls, showcasing his trademark aggressive stroke play.
Pant’s previous Test fifty was scored on December 23, 2022, against Bangladesh at Shere-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur. His remarkable comeback journey began with an impressive run in IPL 2024, where he was the top scorer for Delhi Capitals. His strong IPL performance earned him a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad, where he stood out with 171 runs in nine matches during the marquee event in the USA and the West Indies.
IND vs BAN, 1st Test, Day 3: Live Updates | Full Scorecard
In this Test match, Pant fell short of a fifty in the first innings but played a crucial role with a knock of 39 (52) alongside opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, his second-innings fifty underlined his ability to play under pressure. His innings included a signature one-handed six and a precise paddle sweep, displaying the audacity and flair he’s known for.
Pant reached his milestone on the third day of the Test, displaying his aggressive stroke play. In the 40th over of India’s second innings, facing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, he charged down the pitch and lofted the ball over long-off for six, despite losing the grip of his bottom hand. In the following over, he executed a well-timed paddle sweep, adding two more runs to move closer to his fifty. Finally, in the 44th over, a single off Miraz brought up his 12th Test half-century, marking a significant moment in his comeback. Pant’s return to form in red-ball cricket is a welcome boost for the Indian team as they continue their two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
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