Cricket

Rishabh Pant's on-field antics and witty remarks have become a staple of Indian cricket. During the first day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, Pant's stump mic captured a hilarious exchange with spinner Washington Sundar.As New Zealand's tailender Ajaz Patel approached the crease, Pant suggested to Sundar, "Washi aage daal sakta you can bowl a little fuller, thoda bahar daal sakta hai." Sundar obliged, delivering a tossed-up ball that Patel swung through for four runs.Pant's disappointment was evident as he muttered, "Yaar mereko kya pata issey Hindi aati hai." (I didn't know he understood Hindi.)Sundar's seven-wicket haul played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand to 259. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with three wickets, dismissing the Kiwis in just 79.1 overs.In response, India lost captain Rohit Sharma for a duck, leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill at the crease with a deficit of 243 runs.Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra led New Zealand's batting effort with scores of 76 and 65, respectively.

Rishabh Pant's Wit and Wisdom Enlivens India's Test Victory over BangladeshIn a moment of lighthearted camaraderie during India's emphatic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into the proceedings. On Day 3 of the second innings, Pant's voice was captured on the stump mic offering tactical advice to the Bangladesh fielders."O bhai, idhar aayega yeh fielder (please bring the fielder here)," Pant was heard saying, much to the amusement of the commentary team and fans. The incident showcased Pant's quick wit and his ability to lighten the mood even in the midst of a competitive match.Speaking after India's 280-run triumph, Pant explained his motivation for the playful banter. "I think the understanding of the game for me is that cricket should improve wherever you play," he said. "So I was just trying to help the team that you can set a fielder here, and it was amazing. Actually, I enjoyed it."Pant's return to Test cricket after recovering from a serious accident in December 2022 was marked by a scintillating century in the second innings. His knock of 109 runs, a blend of aggression and controlled batting, played a pivotal role in India's victory."I was jittery, but there was a fire inside me to make it happen. And eventually, I did it. I'm happy, but not thinking about it too much," Pant said, reflecting on his performance.Pant's partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 110 runs, proved to be the cornerstone of India's batting effort. The duo shared a 167-run stand, putting the Bangladesh bowlers under immense pressure."When you have a great relationship off the field, it helps on the field," Pant said of his partnership with Gill. "We were having fun, talking about the game, and staying relaxed while focusing on stitching a great partnership."With the victory in Chennai, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The teams will now travel to Kanpur for the second and final Test, which begins on Friday.

Rohit Sharma's Stump Mic Banter: "Uppar Dega Toh Deta Hoon Na"Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has once again provided entertainment for fans with his candid stump mic conversations. In a recent match against England, Rohit was caught on camera engaging in a playful exchange with his batting partner Suryakumar Yadav.As England bowler Liam Livingstone prepared to deliver the last ball of the 11th over, Rohit turned to SKY and said, "Uppar dega toh deta hoon na" (If he pitches it up, I'll hit him for a six). True to his word, Livingstone obliged, and Rohit duly dispatched the ball over the long-on boundary.The video of the exchange quickly went viral on social media, showcasing Rohit's relaxed and confident approach to batting. It also highlighted the camaraderie between the Indian players, who have been in impressive form throughout the tournament.Rohit's six not only entertained the crowd but also helped him reach his half-century and bring up India's 100th run. He eventually fell for 57, but his contribution played a crucial role in India's victory.The Indian team will now face South Africa in the final of the tournament on Saturday. The Proteas have also been in excellent form, having crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets in their semifinal. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, has recently gained attention for his candid conversations caught on stump microphones during matches. One such incident occurred during the third T20I against Afghanistan in January, where Rohit's frustration over a controversial umpiring decision was captured on mic.Rohit was dismissed for ducks in the first two matches of the series. In the third match, he guided a delivery down the leg side on the second ball, expecting to open his account. However, the umpire ruled it as leg-byes, leaving Rohit stranded on 0."Viru, did you give the first ball as thigh pad? It clearly touched the bat. I already have two zeroes in the series," Rohit was heard saying to umpire Virender Sharma.In a recent event ahead of the fifth Test against England, Rohit explained his reaction, stating that it stemmed from the frustration of being dismissed for two consecutive ducks."When you're coming off two zeros, we know how important scoring the first run is. I scored a four off the bat, but the umpire probably didn't notice it and signaled them as leg byes," Rohit said.Rohit emphasized that he doesn't intentionally engage in such conversations but rather communicates with fielders to assess DRS and manage the team's strategy."I stand in the slips because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders, and it gets recorded," he explained.Rohit's stump-mic conversations have become a source of entertainment for fans, providing a glimpse into the on-field dynamics and the captain's thought process. However, he maintains that his focus remains on the game and that these conversations are simply a byproduct of his role as a leader.