Rishabh Pant’s Wit and Wisdom Enlivens India’s Test Victory over Bangladesh
In a moment of lighthearted camaraderie during India’s emphatic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into the proceedings. On Day 3 of the second innings, Pant’s voice was captured on the stump mic offering tactical advice to the Bangladesh fielders.
“O bhai, idhar aayega yeh fielder (please bring the fielder here),” Pant was heard saying, much to the amusement of the commentary team and fans. The incident showcased Pant’s quick wit and his ability to lighten the mood even in the midst of a competitive match.
Speaking after India’s 280-run triumph, Pant explained his motivation for the playful banter. “I think the understanding of the game for me is that cricket should improve wherever you play,” he said. “So I was just trying to help the team that you can set a fielder here, and it was amazing. Actually, I enjoyed it.”
Pant’s return to Test cricket after recovering from a serious accident in December 2022 was marked by a scintillating century in the second innings. His knock of 109 runs, a blend of aggression and controlled batting, played a pivotal role in India’s victory.
“I was jittery, but there was a fire inside me to make it happen. And eventually, I did it. I’m happy, but not thinking about it too much,” Pant said, reflecting on his performance.
Pant’s partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 110 runs, proved to be the cornerstone of India’s batting effort. The duo shared a 167-run stand, putting the Bangladesh bowlers under immense pressure.
“When you have a great relationship off the field, it helps on the field,” Pant said of his partnership with Gill. “We were having fun, talking about the game, and staying relaxed while focusing on stitching a great partnership.”
With the victory in Chennai, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The teams will now travel to Kanpur for the second and final Test, which begins on Friday.
