The chances of Rishabh Pant being in the playing XI in India’s first match against Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday, are extremely slim. But, the last time these two teams came face to face in a ICC World Cup match (in Dubai), India’s dashing wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, played a key role. India lost openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first three overs of the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav, playing in his first major tournament, had raised hopes but he too got out soon, and India desperately needed a partnership and that’s when Rishabh Pant worked with the then captain Virat Kohli to steady India’s ship.
Rishabh Pant and Kohli’s partnership slowly started bringing India back into the game (IND vs PAK) but the run rate remained a matter of concern. At the end of 11 overs, India had scored only 66 runs for three wickets. Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam handed the ball to fast bowler Hasan Ali, and that’s when Rishabh Pant decided that it was time to launch the attack. He hit Hasan Ali for consecutive sixes with one hand. The first is over square leg while the second is over straight long of,
Before the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan to be held on Sunday, Rishabh Pant recalled his two one-hanaded sixes off Hasan Ali, while chating to ICC’s official website.
I fondly remember that I smacked Hasan Ali for two sixes in the same over,” Rishabh Pant told ICC website. “We were just trying to get the run rate up because we lost early wickets and we staged a partnership – me and Virat. We were increasing the run rate and I smacked him for two sixes with one hand… my special shot.”
Rishabh Pant also added that playing against Pakistan is always a very special feeling for Indian cricketers.
“It’s always special playing against Pakistan because there is a special hype around that match as always,” Pant said. “There are so much emotions involved, not only for us, but the fans and everyone.
“It’s a different kind of feeling, a different kind of ambience when you go on to the field and when you take on the field, you see people cheering here and there. It’s a different atmosphere and when we were singing our national anthem, I actually get goosebumps,” Pant added.
