The 26-year-old, Rishabh Pant, put on a show as he remained unbeaten on 88 off 43 balls – his highest score this season.
It was just enough for Delhi to close out a four-run win as they limited Gujarat to 220/8. Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, and even Rashid Khan had their moments with the bat for Gujarat, but Mukesh Kumar held his nerve at the end. Delhi Capitals were 44/3 in 5.4 overs against Gujarat Titans when Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel came together on Wednesday.
By the time the innings ended, Delhi had added another 180 runs in 14.2 overs for just one wicket. The dramatic turnaround came largely thanks to Pant offering the strongest evidence yet of his readiness as selection for the T20 World Cup looms.
Pant’s Big Hitting Show
Pant had already put his name in the ring for an India recall at the marquee event. On Wednesday, more of the trademark Rishabh was on the show, flicking, pulling, and cutting the ball with the authority that had made the wicketkeeper-batter stand out before the hiatus.
The spotlight though belonged to Pant on a day when he took a special liking to Mohit Sharma’s medium-pace. Having brought up his half-century, off 34 balls, by smashing a slower full toss over long-on for six, he carted the former India bowler for four sixes and a four in a 31-run final over. Sharma’s figures at the end read an unflattering 4-0-73-0.
Pant hit eight sixes on the night as a partisan crowd lapped up the skipper’s big-hitting exhibition. That he came in with Delhi in a spot of bother was almost a blessing in disguise. Not the sort of batter who is comfortable teeing off immediately, Rishabh is at his most dangerous once he has given himself a few balls to find his bearings. He had that time on Wednesday.
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How the Pant-Axar Partnership Dominates
Axar was also instrumental in Delhi’s turnaround. Only on Monday, Axar had quietly bemoaned the lack of batting opportunities this season due to the Impact Player rule. The Delhi management seemed to have heard Axar’s plea, for he was promoted to No.3 this time. The move worked as Axar and Pant stitched together a 113-run stand for the fourth wicket off just 68 balls.
At a venue where Sunrisers Hyderabad had smashed 266/7 the other night, Axar and Pant had to target a tall score. They did that ably, not allowing the Afghan spin duo of Rashid and Noor Ahmad to squeeze in a few quiet overs in the middle phase. Axar took his first major risk when he slog-swept Rashid for a six over wide long-on. Pant repeated that shot against Noor for the same result three overs later.
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About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer with a love for cricket that shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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