The engaging action continued in the New Zealand vs India ODI series on Wednesday as the two sides faced-off in the third and final game at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson called it correctly at the toss and invited India to bat first. Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill walked out to the middle to give a good start to their team.
Just when the partnership was looking threatening, India lost their first wicket as Shubman Gill was dismissed by Adam Milne. Shikhar Dhawan also followed quickly leaving India 55/2 after 13 overs which brough the wicket keeper batter Rishabh Pant to the crease. Pant had scores of 6,11 and 15 on the tour so far and had a point to prove to his critics.
However, the southpaw once again looked out of touch as he struggled to get his innings going. He was again dismissed for a low score returning back to the pavilion after scoring 10 off 16 balls. Pant was trying to attack the part-timer Daryl Mitchell and tried to pull him over the deep-square leg boundary but could only find Glenn Philips who ran in and dove to take the catch. Following Pant’s dismissal India were left reeling at 85/3 after 20.3 overs.
Pant’s performance has been put under tremendous scrutiny this year with likes of Sanju Samson warming the bench. He has scored 336 runs in 10 innings in ODIs so far at an average of 37.33 and a strike rate of 96.55. He has one hundred and two fifties to his name this year.
In his ODI career he averages 34.60 in 26 innings scoring 865 runs at a strike rate of 106.65 having one hundred and five fifties to his name. There have been widespread talks of mistreatment of Sanju Samson by the Indian Cricket Board who's been giving chances to Pant continuously despite his dismal show with the bat. With the world cup approaching next year, it will be interesting to see whether the team management will continue to show faith in Pant or will finally give Samson a longer run in the team. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions as Rishabh Pant once again failed with the bat. Here are some of the best reactions:
Great innings by #RishabhPant .
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) November 30, 2022
I think after this innings BCCI should give captaincy to pant. #SanjuSamson #IndVsNZ pic.twitter.com/PR831JGm3Z
And generational talent failed again @RishabhPant17
— Jairamchandra Pandiri (@PJ_PRiNCEE) November 30, 2022
Pant aise out Hokar chala jata jaise iske baap ki sarkar ho @BCCI aakhir kab tak koi to lakeer hogi @RishabhPant17
— Samar haider 🇮🇳 (@Samar771992) November 30, 2022
Sanju samson baitha hai be karar run banane ko @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/KZkOiWOEWk
More Indians would have been happy after seeing this. Never in the history of indian cricket, Indian fans would have cheered for an Indian wicket like this. #RishabhPant https://t.co/U96DclVEse
— Nithin712 (@Nithooos712) November 30, 2022
10(16)🔥🔥incredible innings🔥secured his place for next 10 matches. This is rishabh pant for you🔥haters step back😂#Rishabpant #SanjuSamson #BCCI pic.twitter.com/69GfOiLKfw
— Navaneeth (@Navanee31078282) November 30, 2022
What a team selection!!
— Suchitra Das (@Suchitra_Dass) November 30, 2022
Another flop show by Rishabh Pant !!
But still Pant will get a chance in the next match.#Great #BCCI #JusticeForSanjuSamson #Rishabpant #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/TEEGaLZnFh
BCCI गधे को शेर बनाने में लगी हैं 😡😡😡 #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/7eScsHUNKI
— Yogi adityanath 🇮🇳 (@Yogi_UP_CM_) November 30, 2022
BCCI ne #RishabhPant se koi loan to nhi le rakha. #INDvsNZ
— Rahul Sharma (@rnature7) November 30, 2022
One More Chance plz...#BCCI#RishabhPant #Cricket #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/ZIDjbrz2MF
— Vikrant Deshmukh (@vicky_deshmukh_) November 30, 2022
Great innings by #RishabhPant .
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) November 30, 2022
I think after this innings BCCI should give captaincy to pant. #SanjuSamson #IndVsNZ pic.twitter.com/PR831JGm3Z