Picture Credit: Twitter
After more than half of Day 2 was washed out due to rain, it was time for an exciting day in the first Test between India and England at Trent Bridge on Nottingham. The weather forecast was slightly better for Friday and the fans got to see a good amount of cricket in first session despite few stoppages. Having lost four wickets within 15 runs, India had their task cut out and needed a solid start on Day 3.
Much to the delight of Indian fans, things panned out exactly the way as planned as KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant weathered the storm in difficult batting conditions. The duo survived a few edges here and there but kept their focus as the score read 133/4 after 49 overs. The play had just resumed after stoppage due to rain and it was time for some entertainment.
Exciting sequence of events in 50th over
As Ollie Robinson came out to bowl the 50th over of the innings, Rishabh Pant played an unorthodox pull shot on the first delivery and took a single. There was drizzle once again and when it looked like the play would stop again, the weather became clear and play continued. With so much already happening, Pant was back on strike and it was about time for him to break free and unleash himself.
The left-handed batsmen pushed a wide delivery outside the off stump as the ball flew off the outside edge wide off the gully and went towards the boundary. Robinson replied with a bouncer but Pant was in no mood to duck the delivery as he threw his bat onto the ball and the ball sailed over the keeper for a 64-metre long six. India had suddenly scored 10 runs in 2 balls and the pressure was back on England.
This is when Robinson produced a cracking good-length delivery which surprised Pant as he was trying to play on the front foot. Although he tried to check his shot at the last moment, it was too late as his check-shot went straight into the hands of Jonny Bairstow who was standing at cover. In the end, Robinson had the last laugh in his entertaining battle with Pant.
Watch the video here:
Pant was dismissed on 25 off 20 deliveries as England got the crucial breakthrough. Ravindra Jadeja joined KL Rahul in the middle and the duo took India to 191/5 going into lunch on Day 3.