India captain Rishabh Pant gushed in praise of his side after the Men In Blue made a thumping come back into the series vs South Africa and levelled it 2-2. The series was set up for a fitting finale, however, the rain gods allowed only 3.3 overs of play in Bangalore as the fifth T20I was abandoned on Sunday.
Keshav Maharaj, the stand-in Protea captain for the injured Temba Bavuma, won the toss and inserted India to in to bat first. After a 50-minute delayed start, Kishan whacked a couple of sixes in the first over to Maharaj before Lungi Ngidi swiped out both openers, Kishan and Gaikwad, with slower balls before the rail rearrived, this time not allowing any play after that.
Rishabh Pant praise the character of the team
South Africa had demoralised India’s bowling in the Delhi and Cuttack while chasing down 212 and 149 with oomph. But the Indian bowlers stormed back, bowling the visitors out for 131 and 81 in Vizag and Rajkot respectively to keep the series alive.
Leading India for the first time in his career, Pant eulogised the team’s character for making a spectacular comeback
“There are a lot of positives. The way the team showed character from 0-2 down was a huge positive. We are in a nice spot as we are finding different ways to win the game,” Pant said after the fifth T20I was abandoned in Bangalore on Sunday
Plenty of positives to take for India, such as the form of Kishan, Hardik and Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was the Player of the Series, plus Harshal, Avesh and Chahal in the bowling department.
Pant shrugged off any questions about his own form.
“I can only think about giving my 100% as a player and captain. It is for you guys to decide on how I am doing as a player and captain, I can only focus on giving my 100% every time I go on the field and keep improving,” he added.
Pant’s next assignment will be the Edgbaston Test against Ben Stokes’ side while Pandya will lead in the two T20Is in Ireland. Pant is eager to contribute to the crucial Test.
“We will be keen to win the Test we are going to play in England and from a personal point of view I am keen to contribute more to the team with the bat,” the southpaw concluded.
