Rishabh Pant sends strong message to selector Ajit Agarkar with magnificent half-century in Vijay Hazare Trophy

by
Rishabh Pant

The veteran Indian batter, Rishabh Pant, helped Delhi with a staggering innings against Gujarat. The captain of the state team came in under conditions for batting and helped Delhi off to a decent total, despite Virat Kohli’s dismissal.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi with the first match against Andhra Pradesh in the 205-26 season opener. Virat Kohli, the Indian legend, made his return to the tournament following a 15-year-long break.

Kohli backed his return with a spectacular century during Delhi’s chase against Andhra in the previous game. However, alongside Virat Kohli, Indian batter Rishabh Pant was also named in Delhi’s squad for the tournament and was also named the skipper of the side.

Rishabh Pant sends a strong notice with an impressive Vijay Hazare Trophy half-century

During the first game, Delhi batters Priyansh Arya and Nitish Rana, the two left-handed explosive batters, tagged alongside the chasemaster Virat Kohli to chase down the 299-run target with ease. Pant came much further down the order and could not produce anything productive.

However, Gujarat challenged Delhi’s batting order as the openers and Nitish Rana failed to back Virat Kohli sufficiently, though the veteran played his part very well. Despite this, Delhi was 108/4 at one stage after Kohli’s dismissal.

With great support from youngster Harsh Tyagi, the Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant scored a stupendous half-century that lifted Delhi’s spirits and also the total past 250. Delhi finished 254/9 in their 50 overs, with a valuable 70 off 79 balls from Rishabh Pant.

Virat Kohli backs VHT hundred with a stunning fifty in the second game

Virat Kohli carried his extensive form in ODI cricket into the domestic tournament, where he returned following a 15-year exile. Kohli started off with a commendable century and finished on 131 with a formidable strike rate.

Coming into the second game for Delhi, the Indian legend scored another half-century. This time too, with an inspiring strike rate, the batter made it look so easy till he batted on the crease.

Kohli already comes after having broken Sachin Tendulkar’s longstanding record of being the fastest to 16000 List A runs. He also became just the second batter from India to have gone past the 16000-run mark in List A cricket.

Will Pant be considered for a Playing XI spot in the New Zealand ODIs?

Rishabh Pant, since his return from injury in 2024, has been regular in the ODI side for India but has never been drafted into the playing XI. Pant has been in the shadows of KL Rahul, who adapted himself to bat in the middle order wonderfully.

Rishabh Pant will also be a part of the squad for the New Zealand ODIs as India’s backup; however, the Vijay Hazare Trophy performance might make an opening for him in the Indian middle order, especially in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.

The likes of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel can also be rested in the ODIs, considering the ICC T20 World Cup would be just around the corner, and the management would relieve them of some work pressure due to injury concerns.

ALSO READ: ‘Pagal Ho Gaya’: Fan in Awe as Virat Kohli Slams 29-Ball Fifty in Vijay Hazare Trophy vs Gujarat