Sanjay Manjrekar goes No-Holds barred on Rishabh Pant's belt treatment to Tim Southee

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised Rishabh Pant for his impressive six off New Zealand pacer Tim Southee during the first Test match.

Sanjay Manjrekar described Rishabh Pant's sensational shot in the second innings as one of the best he’s seen in Test cricket against a quality bowler.

Rishabh Pant showed his skills in India's remarkable comeback during the second innings against New Zealand.

India came to bat in the second innings after conceding a 356-run lead to New Zealand following the first innings of both teams. India was bowled out for just 46 runs earlier in the match.

Rishabh Pant Added A 177-run Partnership With Sarfaraz Khan

India seemed set for a heavy defeat, but Rohit Sharma (52) and Virat Kohli (70) laid the foundation for a strong comeback.

Sarfaraz Khan and Pant then added a crucial 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century before being dismissed for 150 by Southee.

Even after Sarfaraz's dismissal, Pant continued with his aggressive approach. On the third ball of the 87th over bowled by Tim Southee, Rishabh smashed a 107-meter six and sent the ball out of the ground. The left-handed batter, who was batting on 90 runs, didn't hesitate to play an aggressive shot.

𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸! 😍

Rishabh Pant smacks a 1⃣0⃣7⃣m MAXIMUM! 💥

Live - https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/4UHngQLh47

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2024

It Was Almost Like A Sweep - Sanjay Manjrekar

In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Rishabh Pant's impressive six off Tim Southee. Manjrekar said that Pant played a sweep shot against a quality bowler and sent the ball onto the roof, which was incredible.

"From all the shots that I remember, whatever I remember, that ranks as one of the best shots that I've seen in Test cricket against a quality bowler and the ball landing on the roof there. I mean, incredible. It was almost like a sweep," Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

Is that Rishabh Pant six off Tim Southee the shot of the match? 🔥#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/6stdnkP2ns

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 20, 2024

Sometimes That Hasn't Helped Indian Cricket - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar said that Pant's performance is a great advertisement for Test cricket.

He pointed out that Indian batters used to prioritize personal milestones, but Pant remained composed after missing his century. Manjrekar compared him to former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.

"So it was tremendous entertainment and a great, great advertisement for Test cricket. Indian cricket has had a history of batters being too concerned about milestones, and sometimes that hasn't helped Indian cricket. So I was watching his reaction very closely," Manjrekar added.

"He was disappointed that he didn't nail it, but didn't seem tremendously disappointed. And the kind of shots that he played, and to go from 90 to 96 with a six, shows that he doesn't care about getting out in the 90s."

"We had Virender Sehwag as one of the first guys and good to see Pant a bit like that," he concluded.

Pant scored 99 off 105 balls, including nine fours and five sixes. He was dismissed when he chopped a delivery from William O'Rourke onto his stumps. It was his seventh dismissal in the nineties in Test cricket. He became only the second Indian wicketkeeper-batter, after MS Dhoni, to be out for 99 runs.

Also read: Rishabh Pant joins unfortunate list of cricketers to be dismissed on 99 after Bengaluru Test heartbreak