Before the start of play on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, there was uncertainty surrounding Rishabh Pant. After the wicketkeeper took a blow to his knee, it was not known whether he would bat in the second innings or not. However, the left-handed dasher came to bat at number 5, and he teamed up with Sarfaraz Khan to dominate New Zealand’s bowling line-up to help Rohit Sharma and co gain a crucial lead. However, heartbreak awaited Rishabh Pant as he was dismissed for 99, just one run short of his 7th Test ton, which would have taken him past MS Dhoni’s record for most Test centries by an Indian keeper-batsman.

As soon as Rishabh Pant was dismissed, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, who were in the dressing room, were left distraught. Virat Kohli, who was sitting right behind them, couldn’t believe it. KL Rahul, who was sitting at the non-striker’s end, was also seen crouching down. However, the audience gave a standing ovation for Rishabh Pant.

Rishabh Pant’s innings was, as usual, littered with big shots. He didn’t let the spinners Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra settle, constantly going over the top and sending them on their way to boundaries and maximums.

Pant didn’t even spare the 6ft William O’Rourke as he charged down the track to hit him straight for the boundary. After a cloudy first session, the sun shone in the second and Rishabh made the most of batting-friendly conditions.

However, it was William ORourke, who ultimately had the last laugh, as Pant dragged the ball back to his stumps. The ball shot up from short length and caught Pant by surprise in defence, eventually leading to his dismissal.

Rishabh Pant was fired for the seventh time in the 1990s

It should also be mentioned that Pant was dismissed seven times in the longest format during the nervous 1990s. Had he converted on all these counts, his current Test ton tally would have stood at 13.

It is important to mention that Rishabh also missed the entire 2023 cricket calendar after he was involved in a horrific car accident.

Coming back to the ongoing Test against New Zealand, Team India has managed to take a lead thanks to centuries from Rishabh and Sarfaraz. Earlier, Sarfaraz departed from Tim Southee’s bowling alley. The right-handed batsman returned after scoring 150.

Earlier, India were bowled out for 46 runs in the first innings and the Kiwis took a 356-run lead after scoring 402 runs in the first innings.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also registered half-centuries for India in the second innings. The Test match is progressing at a brisk pace as the first day was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being bowled.

Even the first session came to an early halt on day 4 due to rain. However, the proceedings resumed in the afternoon session.