New Delhi: Rishab Pant on Thursday proved yet again as to why is he being called as the next big thing in Indian cricket. The 19-year-old, who started the campaign this year for Delhi Daredevils with a brilliant half-century, produced one of the most explosive knocks in IPL history against Gujarat Lions. (IPL 2017 Full Coverage | Points Table)
Chasing a stiff target of 208 runs, Delhi got off to a poor start when Pradeep Sangwan dismissed skipper Karun Nair in the third over of the innings. Considering uphill task, Rishab was promoted in the batting order to go for his strokes.
Without wasting much time, Pant started unleashing his power, much to the delight of the local crowd. In Sangwan’s next over, fifth of the innings, Pant hammered two consecutive sixes off the first two balls to make his intentions clear. (ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar has GIVEN his verdict on Rishab Pant’s knock and it’s Must Read)
Watch those two blows here:
#Rishabhpant’s two consecutive sixes vs #GujaratLionshttps://t.co/3DzuC8wr0x
— Cricket-atti (@cricketatti) May 5, 2017
Pant continued his onslaught and within no time, it was raining boundaries and sixes at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. He was well supported by Sanju Samson, who hit a 31-ball 61.
The duo added 143 off 63 for the second wicket and took the game away from the Suresh Raina led-side. On 97, Pant edged a ball from Basil Thampi and was dismissed ahead of what would have been a mind-blowing century.
Earlier, impressive late spells from Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins had overturned the momentum from rapid fifties by Raina and Dinesh Karthik to restrict the Lions to 208 for 7 after they had put up 158 in their first 14 overs.
WATCH: Gujarat Lions’ Suresh Raina consoles Rishab Pant after he misses out on maiden ton in DD vs GL IPL match by three runs
Raina (77) and Karthik (65) came to the crease when the visitors were reeling at 10/2 in the second over. But sensible innings from the duo helped Gujarat to get out of troubled waters. They both stitched a brilliant 133-run partnership for the third wicket before Raina was run out by Rabada in the 14th over.
Pant was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant knock which according to Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was one of the best knocks since the first edition.
Delhi, now standing at the sixth spot with eight points from 10 games, will take on Mumbai Indians on Saturday.
Source: Zee News