Rishabh Pant was the star of the show as he powered Delhi Capitals to a first innings score of 213/6 in their 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash with Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
The Indian wicketkeeper scored at an alarming rate, finishing unbeaten on 78 having faced just 27 deliveries.
Here, we take a closer look at Pant’s display.
STATISTICS
Runs: 78
Balls: 27
Sixes: 7
Fours: 7
Strike-rate: 288.88
30-SECOND REPORT
After Colin Ingram laid a strong foundation for Delhi, Pant took to the crease. He took a few deliveries to get going but once he did, he never looked back. First he went after Ben Cutting and soon, he was taking on everyone else.
The wicketkeeper-batsman brought up his half century in just 18 deliveries. He put on a fine display as he cleared the ropes seven times during his sensational knock of 78 from 27 balls.
78* (27) 🔥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 24, 2019
7 fours 👌
7 sixes 💪
Take a bow, @RishabPant777 🙌@DelhiCapitals have presented @mipaltan with a stiff target of 214. #MIvDC #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/pibkiDuxeF
GOT RIGHT
He likes that short boundary on the leg side and he went for it time and again. Anything on his pads was asking to be punished and he gave it the full treatment. Effortlessly flicking Jasprit Bumrah over deep square leg for six in the 18th over was possibly the shot of the innings.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya suffered from his bat as well. The last three balls of his spell ruined his figures as Pant dispatched them for two sixes and a four. So eager was he to attack that onside that he even managed to drag one of those sixes from well outside off stump.
Pant was in the zone and it got to a point where it mattered little where they bowled to him. For some of those sixes, he only needed one hand.
GOT WRONG
It would’ve been a shame if an innings like this came to an end by means of a run out but that was precisely Mumbai’s best chance of getting rid of Pant. He always seemed eager to rush back for a second, even when a single meant he’d keep strike.
On one occasion, a mix-up with Rahul Tewatia put him in a spot of bother and a direct hit at the non-striker’s end would’ve seen him headed back to the pavilion with two overs to go.
The left-hander also struggled when he first came to the crease, taking five deliveries to get off the mark with a single, even looping an awkward sweep attempt just short of mid-on.
VERDICT – 9/10
The 21-year-old did his chances of securing a World Cup spot plenty of good. His match-winning ability came to the fore with some destructive batting in the final five overs.
