Cricket

Rishabh Pant's triumphant return to the Indian cricket team after a harrowing car accident in December 2022 was marked by a stellar performance in India's emphatic victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener.Batting at number three, Pant showcased his resilience and skill, smashing an unbeaten 36 off 26 deliveries on a challenging pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. His innings played a crucial role in India's comfortable eight-wicket win.Earlier, Hardik Pandya led India's bowling attack with an impressive 3/27, dismissing Ireland for a mere 96 runs in 16 overs. Rohit Sharma's half-century (52 off 37 balls) set the tone for India's chase, which was completed in just 12.2 overs.Despite Jasprit Bumrah being named 'Player of the Match' for his economical spell of 2/6, Pant's contribution was equally significant. He took over the reins from Rohit, who retired hurt after being struck on the arm, and guided India to victory.Pant's return to international cricket was a testament to his unwavering determination and the support of his teammates and fans. He had previously made a comeback in the warm-up game against Bangladesh, but the Ireland match marked his first official international appearance since the accident.India's next challenge will be a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A game on June 9 at the same venue. Besides Ireland and Pakistan, co-hosts USA and Canada complete India's group.

Rishabh Pant's Reverse Scoop Stuns on 'Dangerous' New York PitchIn the inaugural match of the T20 World Cup 2022, India's swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant showcased his trademark reverse scoop shot, leaving fans and experts alike in awe. Despite the highly criticized pitch at the Nassau Stadium in New York, which was deemed "bordering on dangerous" by former Zimbabwe skipper Andy Flower, Pant executed the audacious shot with aplomb, hitting the winning six off pacer Barry McCarthy.The pitch, which was described as a "witch" by commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu, drew widespread criticism from the cricketing fraternity. Former England captain Michael Vaughan labeled it a "sub-standard surface," while Flower expressed concerns about its safety. However, Pant's fearless display of skill and audacity provided a moment of brilliance amidst the controversy.Pant's reverse scoop, a shot that involves scooping the ball over the wicketkeeper's head with the bat facing backward, has become synonymous with his aggressive batting style. The shot requires exceptional hand-eye coordination and timing, and Pant's execution of it on a challenging pitch was a testament to his skill and confidence.The Indian team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, overwhelmed Ireland by 8 wickets in their opening match. Sharma made a solid 52 before retiring hurt, while Pant's unbeaten 36 guided India to victory in the 13th over. India's bowlers also impressed, with left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh striking twice in the third over and all-rounder Hardik Pandya taking two wickets in two balls. Jasprit Bumrah, who was named player of the match, claimed 2-6.India's next challenge will be against arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday. The match is expected to be a high-octane affair, and Pant's reverse scoop could once again be a decisive factor.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the arm during their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland in New York. The incident occurred in the ninth over of India's chase, with Rohit having already scored a half-century. Despite the setback, India went on to win the match comfortably, thanks to their fast bowlers' impressive performance.Rohit was struck on the upper arm by a delivery from Ireland's Josh Little. He managed to hit the next two balls for sixes before walking off the field with India well on their way to victory. Rishabh Pant was also struck by Little in the 11th over, but he was able to continue batting after receiving medical attention.The pitch in New York proved to be a challenging one for batters, with the ball bouncing unpredictably. Former Zimbabwe batter and England head coach Andy Flower described the surface as "bordering on dangerous." He noted that the ball was bouncing both ways from a length, making it difficult for batsmen to play their shots.India's fast bowlers took advantage of the conditions to restrict Ireland to a total of 96 runs in 16 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each.Despite the victory, India will be concerned about Rohit's injury. The captain is a key player for the team, and his absence would be a major blow. The extent of his injury is not yet known, but he is expected to undergo further assessment.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicket-keeper batter, is determined to make a strong comeback after his horrific accident. During a practice session in New York ahead of the World Cup opener, Pant displayed an unwavering commitment to perfecting his hook shot.Despite the unpredictable pitch and uneven bounce, Pant spent over an hour practicing the hook, relentlessly requesting the throwdown expert to deliver bouncers. This meticulous preparation suggests that Pant may be promoted to the No. 3 position to maintain the left-right batting combination.Pant's determination was evident as he faced several bouncers that whizzed past his face. While top batters typically avoid such risks so close to a major tournament, Pant's unwavering spirit drove him to push his limits."Get it right, brother, I have to play bouncers," Pant demanded, even as the throwdown expert showed signs of fatigue. Despite being hit a few times, Pant remained undeterred.Pant's spectacular performance against Bangladesh on Saturday hinted at his readiness for the World Cup. His intense practice session on Tuesday further underscores his commitment to delivering a memorable performance for India.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Rishabh Pant to bat at No. 3 in India's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland. Pathan believes this strategy, which proved successful in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, would provide India with a left-handed batter in the powerplay, making it difficult for opponents to trap him on the off-side.Pathan's proposed playing XI includes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as openers, followed by Pant at No. 3. He also suggests including Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya in the batting lineup. For the bowling department, Pathan selects Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as spinners, along with three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.However, Pathan acknowledges that the team composition may need to be adjusted when India plays in the West Indies. He proposes replacing one of the pacers with Axar Patel, who provides a solid all-rounder option at No. 8.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed the remarkable return of Rishabh Pant and the newfound consistency of Sanju Samson, bolstering India's wicketkeeping options for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pant's resilience in overcoming a harrowing accident was evident in his improved fitness and agility, particularly his wicketkeeping skills. Samson, on the other hand, showcased a remarkable transformation, leading the Rajasthan Royals with consistent performances.Starting with a match-winning 82 not out against Lucknow Super Giants, Samson maintained his momentum throughout the tournament, finishing with 531 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.27. His improved game awareness and leadership skills impressed selectors and team management alike.Samson's consistency earned him a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, pipping experienced wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. However, the debate remains over who will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman between Pant and Samson.Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that Samson's role in the team is as a batter at No. 3, while Pant's left-handedness gives him an edge in the lower order. However, Karim also acknowledges that both players could potentially play in the XI, given their different skill sets.Despite his impressive IPL form, Samson's international record remains modest. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad could be a game-changer for India, providing a reliable option at the top of the order.Whether Samson can cement his place as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Pant remains to be seen. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad is a testament to his newfound consistency and the belief that he can make a significant contribution to India's title aspirations.

India's T20 World Cup preparations culminated in a resounding 60-run victory over Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York. In the absence of Virat Kohli, who arrived in New York shortly before the match, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya shone with the bat.Pant, making his first India appearance in over 18 months, top-scored with a blistering 53 off 32 deliveries, including four boundaries and four sixes. Hardik, silencing critics about his form, smashed an unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls.During Bangladesh's chase of 183, a photoshopped image of India captain Rohit Sharma sparked controversy. The image, which depicted Sharma as out of shape, was later debunked by fans who shared genuine screenshots of his physique.Sharma, who had participated in an official photoshoot for the T20 World Cup a few days prior, appeared in good shape in those pictures. However, he struggled to time the ball on a two-paced track, scoring only 23 off 19 balls.India surprised by opting to bat first, with Sanju Samson opening alongside Sharma. Pant, returning from a horrific car accident in December 2022, retired after scoring 53.India's bowlers dominated Bangladesh's chase, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh leading the charge. Bangladesh was restricted to 122 for nine, despite a brief fightback from Mahmudullah Riyaz (40 retired out) and Shakib Al Hasan (28).

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has endorsed Rishabh Pant as India's starting wicketkeeper for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Gavaskar's endorsement stems from Pant's superior glove work and recent impressive form.Pant's performance in India's lone warm-up game against Bangladesh, where he scored a blistering 53 off 32 balls, further solidified his case. In contrast, his competitor, Sanju Samson, failed to make an impact in the same match, managing only one run off six balls.While both players had impressive IPL 2024 seasons, Pant's edge in wicketkeeping abilities gives him an advantage over Samson. Gavaskar emphasized this point, stating, "If you compare the wicketkeeping abilities, then Rishabh Pant is a better wicket-keeper than Samson."Despite Samson's impressive run-scoring in the IPL 2024, amassing 531 runs at an average of over 48, Pant's recent form has been equally impressive. After a 15-month layoff, Pant showed no signs of rust, scoring 446 runs at an average of 40.54 in 13 matches.Gavaskar also pointed out that Samson's inability to score big runs in the latter part of the IPL 2024 and the warm-up game against Bangladesh could tip the scales in Pant's favor.Both players have had underwhelming T20I careers, with Samson averaging under 19 and Pant averaging 22.43. However, Pant's recent form and superior wicketkeeping skills make him the more likely choice for the T20 World Cup.India, who haven't won an ICC trophy since 2013, will be hoping that Pant's inclusion in the playing XI will strengthen their chances. Having secured a convincing 60-run win against Bangladesh in their warm-up game, India are set to face Ireland in their opening match on Wednesday.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded Rishabh Pant for his exceptional performance in challenging conditions during India's T20 World Cup warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a rapid 53 off 32 balls, helping India set a competitive target of 183. India subsequently restricted Bangladesh to 122/9, securing a comprehensive 60-run victory in New York.Manjrekar praised Pant for his ability to quickly assess the conditions and adapt his game accordingly. "The pitch was slightly difficult when he came to bat. We saw Sanju Samson getting out after scoring only one run off six balls. After that, he (Pant) came and his specialty is that he is extremely street-smart and assesses very quickly what needs to be done," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.Pant's explosive innings included four fours and four sixes. Manjrekar highlighted Pant's impressive strike rate of nearly 200 on a difficult pitch, which underscored his ability to perform under pressure. "He is a batter who scored runs at a strike rate of almost 200 on a difficult pitch. This is Rishabh Pant's specialty. His record in T20Is is very ordinary, an average close to 20 and a strike rate of 120 or lower, but we saw today what this guy can do," Manjrekar added.Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar also commended Pant for his approach, noting his initial caution before launching into big shots. "Everyone will talk about the four fours and four sixes he hit, but he scored only one run off his first six or seven deliveries. So the best thing was that he gave himself time, especially against the spinners. We have the notion that he plays a lot of shots against spinners," Bangar said.Bangar further observed Pant's comfort against both pace and spin. "Actually, his best shots are against the pacers and he gets out many times against spinners. Today he batted well against both pacers and spinners. So I feel a stability has come into his mind considering the way he batted," Bangar noted.Pant's performance against Bangladesh demonstrated his potential to be a game-changer. Despite his modest T20I record, his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and perform under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team.