Smart Move By Virat Kohli To Promote Rishabh Pant In The Third ODI: Inzamam-Ul-Haq

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq has been awestruck by Rishabh Pant’s batting ability in recent times, displaying the consistency and audacity to succeed at the highest level. After consistently scoring runs in Test cricket, Rishabh Pant found success in limited-overs cricket, too, in the recent series against England. Inzamam-Ul-Haq stated that it was a smart move by Virat Kohli to promote the keeper-batsman up the order in the third ODI against England.

Rishabh Pant’s first ODI in more than a year saw him slam a 40-ball 77 in the second game against England to shift the momentum towards India’s way. The 23-year old helped KL Rahul add 113 runs in 80 deliveries as the men in blue recovered from a slow start to race to 336 in 50 overs. Pant’s recall to India’s white-ball squads took shape as he enjoyed unprecedented success in Tests in the few months prior to that.

The third ODI or the series decider against England saw Rishabh Pant play in a similar fashion even as India succumbed from 103-0 to 157-4. Despite Virat Kohli’s men finding themselves on the backfoot, Pant attacked the opposition and added 99 runs in 73 balls with Hardik Pandya and top-scored with 78 off 62 deliveries, consisting of five fours and four sixes. It gave India 329 to defend and they won by seven runs to take the series.

Pant played an important role in releasing the pressure: Inzamam-Ul-Haq

Inzamam-Ul-Haq observed that it was not an easy wicket to bat on since Virat Kohli lost his leg-stump to Moeen Ali off a sharp turn. However, Inzamam said that Rishabh Pant played an outstanding knock by striking at more than 100, which only a few players could. The former Pakistan chief selector conceded that captain Virat Kohli made a smart move as the pressure piled on India after losing three seniors. Nevertheless, the keeper-batsman played a significant role in releasing it.

“It wasn’t an easy wicket to score against spinners as we all saw Virat Kohli getting bowled by Moeen Ali. But Pant once again played a fine knock and scored 74 runs (78*) in 62 balls, at a strike rate of more than 100. No other batter has a strike rate of more than 100. It was a smart move by Virat that he promoted Pant up the order. India lost three senior players – Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and the pressure was mounted on India. But Pant played an important role in releasing the pressure,” Inzamam told in his Youtube channel.

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