India vs Windies 2018: 3rd T20I -I am happy to contribute to the winning cause - Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant, who played a stable hand during India’s six-wicket win against Windies in the 3rd T20I, admitted that he is happy to contribute to the winning cause.

Meanwhile, Pant struggled with the bat throughout the series as he threw his wickets playing rash shots. However, he stood up when the team needed the most. India had it in their grasp, but the thrill-seeking middle-order that represents a billion has managed to take it to the last ball for the second time in a couple of months.

A fantastic batting effort by the Windies, capped off by some excellent hitting at the death, particularly by Pooran, exposing an Achilles’ heel in India’s Bumrah-less bowling line-up.

The early wicket of Rohit Sharma handed Windies the initiative early. However, some effective counterattacking innings by Rishabh Pant and a composed and aggressive knock by Shikhar Dhawan made sure India were always going to cross the line – until the last two overs. Pant, after a stunning knock of 58 runs, tried a silly shot and lost his middle-stump.

Keemo Paul bowled a fantastic penultimate over and Dhawan, after stupendous innings, lost his wicket in a tight, alarming final over that nearly wiped the smiles off Indian faces. It was all possible until the last ball when a misfield by the bowler cost them the match. A fantastic nail-biter to cap off a rather one-sided tour.

Rishabh Pant happy to contribute

The young wicket-keeper batsman had a golden opportunity with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni opting to rest from this series. Although he missed in the opening two games, he made it count in the last. Post the knock; he stated that he was lucky to be among the runs and happy to contribute to the winning cause.

“Actually, I am feeling lucky today because after a long time I got runs in T20s for India, specially in a condition like this where I had to score runs. Me and Shikhi bhai were talking it would be difficult for the new batsman to come and score, but unfortunately, we got out. I had decided to play according to the situation. I am happy to contribute to the winning cause,” Rishabh Pant said after the match.