Picture Credit: Twitter
There is a lot of action and drama when Rishabh Pant is in the middle of a cricket field. Apart from constant chirping from behind the wicket while keeping wickets, Pant is also an entertainer in front of the wickets. He is known for unorthodox shots but what he did during the 3rd Test against South Africa was more than unorthodox. Rishabh Pant lost his bat while trying to launch Duanner Olivier for a six and then went searching for it all around.
On the first ball of the 60th over of India's second innings, Pant threw everything at the ball from Duanne Olivier. However, in spite of sending the ball into the stands, Pant lost grip of his bat handle and the willow went flying. For a few seconds, the cameraman and Rishabh Pant kept searching for it and found it somewhere 12-15 feet away from the batsman.
Watch the funny video here:
I give him stick but Rishabh Pant has been great value and done a very important job for India today. Literally throwing the bat to get his team into a decent lead. #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/MhL8kF1Vvs
— Football World ??? (@FootballWorldTM) January 13, 2022
Pant shows respect to his bat after retrieving it
A small moment of respect was also seen from the swashbuckling batter when he got hold of his bat again after the incident. Pant was seen kissing his bat after he retrieved it from the ground.
Watch here:
Hahaha, nothing more Indian than this.?????????#INDvsSA #SAvIndia #BCCI rishabh pant true to his roots pic.twitter.com/UMZJnpc22R
— Gamer blurry (@BlurDominance) January 13, 2022
South Africa pacers derail India's innings
India had a really bad start to Day 3 as they lost two quick wickets in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkay Rahane. However, a fighting half-century partnership between captain Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant ensured Inda don't lose another wicket in the first session. While Kohli blocked everything that came his way, Pant hit a well-paced half-century off 58 balls. But three quick blows from Lungisani Ngidi completely derailed India's innings and left the hosts pondering at 170/7.
Virat Kohli perished attempting a cover driver yet again while Ashwin and Shardul were outdone by Ngidi's pace. Adding to India's misery, Rabada removed Umesh Yadav and Jansen accounted for Mohammad Shami. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant held one end intact and helped India cross a 200-run lead in the second innings. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman scored his 4th Test century and completely dominated the South African bowlers. On the back of Pant's hundred, India set a target of 212 for South Africa.