Rishabh Pant's football skills steal show during India vs Sri Lanka warm-up match - WATCH
Rishabh Pant displayed unique football skills during India's warm-up match against Sri Lanka. He used his feet to kick wide deliveries away instead of his bat. Pant took twenty-one balls to score his first run in the second innings. After a slow start, he changed gears and hit three sixes. India won the warm-up game by six wickets before the Test series.
Delhi witnessed an unusual display of talent during India's warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant showcased his football skills on the field, surprising fans and coaches alike. Instead of using his bat, Pant kicked the ball away like a footballer whenever deliveries went wide. The comical moment quickly went viral on social media, garnering widespread attention.
Pant faced a challenging start, taking 21 balls to get off the mark in India's first innings. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, observing from the dressing room, was momentarily caught off guard by Pant's cautious approach. However, the left-hander soon regrouped and reverted to his attacking style, demonstrating his prowess with three sixes. Pant's aggressive innings included powerful shots against Keshav Nuwanta and Dilum Sudheera.
In response to Pant's aggressive play, Sri Lankan bowler Sudheera altered his bowling strategy, opting to bowl deliveries well outside the leg stump to curb Pant's big hits. Despite this tactical shift, Pant remained undeterred, maintaining his attacking form throughout the game. India emerged victorious by six wickets, providing the team with crucial match practice ahead of the upcoming Test series.
The first Test is scheduled to commence on August 15 in Galle, followed by the second and final Test on August 23 in Colombo.
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