Rishabh rises to the occasion

When the Delhi lad strolled to the middle, India was in a spot of bother, losing three top-order wickets for 80 runs in the 19th over. Pant, who has caught a lot of flak in recent months for his indifferent form, grinded out his first ODI half-century in his 13th limited overs appearance.

He eventually fell prey to touring captain Kieron Pollard for a stroke-filled 71. The 22-year-old, alongside Delhi Capitals teammate Shreyas Iyer, stitched a 114-run fourth-wicket stand to put the contest on an even keel. Right through his 69-ball innings, Pant put a price on his wicket and displayed immense patience.

He consumed quite a few deliveries at the beginning of his knock, but made up for them with eight boundaries (7 fours and 1 six). It looked as if everything went his way on the matchday. While Pant was on 56, luck was on his side as speedster Sheldon Cottrell dropped a dolly at cover off Pollard. 

The India fans, including the Whistle Podu Army – Chennai Super Kings Fan Club, cheered full throat for the youngster, at Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s adopted home. Fans have in the past taunted Pant for his misfiring outings with chants of “Dhoni! Dhoni!” But the middle-order batter has now won over them with a matured knock.

Iyer, who completed his third successive ODI fifty with an 88-ball 70, was pleased with the way Pant built his innings. “The moment we joined in the middle, it was important for us not to lose a wicket. Pant listened to me and delivered really well. He is a kind of a batsman who can change the momentum of the game and that’s what he did,” said Iyer.