Watch: Rishabh Pant reveals reason behind helping Bangladesh set the field for his own batting

Rishabh Pant, on Sunday (September 22), revealed the hilarious reason behind his decision to set the field for Bangladesh on day three of the recently concluded first Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The incident took place during India's second innings when Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill were batting. On one occasion when the wicketkeeper-batsman was on strike, he was seen helping Bangladesh set up fielding for his own batting.

The stump mic also caught him saying, 'one fielder here', as he pointed in the direction of mid-wicket. To everyone's surprise, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto did exactly that as he moved one of his teammates to the same position.

After the completion of the match on Sunday, Pant revealed the reason behind his act. Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim asked the left-handed batsman, "When Taskin Ahmed was coming to bowl in the second innings, why were you setting the field for him? Who is the Bangladesh captain, Shanto or Rishabh Pant?"

Pant on viral moment pic.twitter.com/orWa1Si7vU

— PantMP4. (@indianspirit070) September 22, 2024

Rishabh Pant on setting the field for Bangladesh:

In reply, Rishabh Pant hilariously said that his act was motivated by his off-field conversation with former India batsman Ajay Jadeja who was a part of the broadcasting team.

Pant said that he and Jadeja often talk about the importance of having a good level of cricket irrespective of the team. And thus to make the game more competitive, Pant helped the visitors with their field placement.

"Ajay Bhai and I often talk about how cricket should be better, whether the other team plays or our own. There wasn't a fielder there, two fielders were standing in the same spot, so I told him to position a fielder there," said Pant, leaving Karim, Jadeja, and other members of the broadcasting team in splits.

Even though Pant helped Bangladesh set up the field, it did not help them stop the wicketkeeper-batsman from scoring a fine century. Playing his first Test since 2022, the southpaw scored a brilliant century in the second innings. Shubman Gill scored a ton as well, as India declared their second innings on 287/4.

Set a target of 515 runs, Bangladesh were all out for 234 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin, who had scored a century in the first innings, starred with the ball in the second innings, taking 6 wickets.