IND v SA: “One Of The Biggest Match Winners In Test Cricket Round The World” - Virender Sehwag Lauds Rishabh Pant

Former India captain Virender Sehwag lauded current keeper-batter Rishabh Pant and called him one of the biggest match-winners in Test Cricket round the world. This came after his amazing counter-attack batting on the second innings of the ongoing third Test match in Cape Town.

After India stopped the South Africa first innings at 210 runs with Jasprit Bumrah taking 5/42 and Keegan Petersen making a sublime 72; it was all up to the Indian batters to do their work. However, the South African bowlers came to the party as it was like in the second Test in Johannesburg and it began with the Indian openers failing to do their job.

KL Rahul (10), Mayank Agarwal (7), Cheteshwar Pujara (9), and Ajinkya Rahane (1) failed to counter the Proteas bowlers including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.

Iss Ladke Ko Akele Chhod Do – Virender Sehwag In Awe Of Rishabh Pant’s Hitting

Then captain Virat Kohli and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant came together to 94 runs for the fifth wicket from India being 58/4. While Kohli kept one end anchored, Pant went after the bowling in his own way and led a brilliant counterattack. Pant clobbered Keshav Maharaj and fast bowlers alike, on his way to 50 in just 58 balls.

He then took a liking to the left-arm off-spinner and smashed him for two sixes, with one being swept one-handed over the leg side and another coming down the track and hitting him over his head. Kohli, while looking good and settled, made an error in judgment and went for a ball outside off-stump and was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne for 29 in 143 balls, when Pant was on 71.

His brilliant counterattack batting led to former India captain Virender Sehwag calling him one of the best batters in Test cricket all around the world and asking critics to leave him alone and let him bat the way he wanted to.

“Is ladke ko free hi chhod do. One of the biggest match winners in Test Cricket round the world #RishabhPant,” Sehwag tweeted.

Is ladke ko free hi chhod do. One of the biggest match winners in Test Cricket round the world #<!---->R<!---->i<!---->s<!---->h<!---->a<!---->b<!---->h<!---->P<!---->a<!---->n<!---->t

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Rishabh Pant had caught some criticism from everywhere for his poor ways of dismissal in the previous Test matches, including one where he went to hit Rabada out of the ground as India was staring at a low score and getting out for a duck. From there to here, only Pant can bat at both ends of the spectrum.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Ashish Nehra Picks Indian Bowler Who Is On Par With Jasprit Bumrah