Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen was left in awe- just like everyone else- after Indian swashbuckler, Rishabh Pant did a James Anderson on speedster Jofra Archer during the first T20I between India and England at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.
In what turned out to be a forgettable match for Team India, which England bossed from pretty much the first delivery, Rishabh Pant provided rare moments to cherish for Indian fans.
The southpaw, who had reverse-swept, James Anderson, for a six during the fourth Test, dished out the same treatment to speedster Jofra Archer, Yes JOFRA ARCHER, who was sending down rockets in excess of 90 miles per hour.
141 clicks & Rishabh Pant played reverse sweep to Jofra Archer INCREDIBLE 💥 #INDvENDpic.twitter.com/bXyEJoqSPO
— Abhinav (@DeadlyYorkers) March 12, 2021
Pant’s shot once again sent social media into a frenzy.
Reacting to his audacity and the courage to hit an express bowler steaming in with a brand new cherry in his hand, Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter to hail the 23-year-old’s stroke as the ‘greatest shot’ that has ever been played.
“Holy smokes! Pant has just played the greatest shot that’s ever been played in cricket. Reverse sweeping/lifting Archer with a brand new white ball at 90mph for 6,”
Holy smokes!
Pant has just played the greatest shot that’s ever been played in cricket.
Reverse sweeping/lifting Archer with a brand new white ball at 90mph for 6.👀
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) March 12, 2021
Not only Kevin Pietersen, but even VVS Laxman also couldn’t hold back in his admiration for Rishabh Pant, nor could former swashbuckler Yuvraj Singh.
What a(n) incredible shot from @RishabhPant17 Looking forward to him bailing the team out this terrible situation just like he did in the last few Tests. #INDvENG,” wrote VVS Laxman.
What a incredible shot from @RishabhPant17 Looking forward to him bailing the team out this terrible situation just like he did in the last few Tests. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/ggUfOqBU85
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 12, 2021
“This is the new generation!! Absolutely fearless! Reverse sweep or shot I don’t know what to call it ! But @RishabhPant17 hats off to you to hit a fast bowler like that ! Game on !! #IndiavsEnglandT20.” wrote Yuvraj Singh.
This is the new generation !! Absolutely fearless ! Reverse sweep or shot I don’t know what to call it ! But @RishabhPant17 hats off to you to hit a fast bowler like that ! Game on !! #IndiavsEnglandT20
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 12, 2021
Rishabh Pant followed his audacious reverse-flick with a classy flick towards square-leg to pick up another boundary. However, the southpaw could not replicate his magic after those two-strokes and eventually finished with an underwhelming 23-ball 21.
