ICC World T20 | Twitter lauds Rishabh Pant for sporting 'thumbs-up' after Hardik Pandya forces him to sacrifice his wicket
RIshabh Pant walks off after being stranded in the middle of the pitch by Hardik Pandya
|(ICC)
International sports' highly competitive nature can often cause players to be insecure and selfish about their own success over the teamās which makes sacrifices an endearing sight. Rishabh Pant won hearts on Thursday after he obliged Hardik Pandya by giving up his wicket during Indiaās death overs.
India, despite seeming to struggle to get to even 140 at one stage, ended up with a commendable total of 168/6 at the end of their 20 overs. The explosion was largely orchestrated by a brilliant blitzkrieg by Hardik Pandya in the death overs as the all-rounder ended up high-scoring for the team with 63 off just 33 deliveries.
Initially provided support by Virat Kohli, Pandya was later joined by Rishabh Pant at the other end who was playing only his second game of the tournament. The wicket-keeper had a golden opportunity to cement his place in the team for the final should India win against England but an incident in the last over highlighted Pantās dedication to the teamās cause and his selfless instincts even in the most pressure-filled situations.
On strike against Chris Jordan, the 24-year-old failed to get away a wide yorker as the ball hurtled on into Jos Buttlerās gloves. Dazed for a moment, Pant did not realize Pandya was charging towards the strikerās end seeking to play the final three deliveries and propel India to a better score with his hitting. By the time Pant became aware of the situation, there was no way he could have made it back to the other end on time. Nevertheless, urged by a passionate Pandya, Pant simply chose to sacrifice himself without much ado and was comfortably run-out by Jordan.
While walking off, Pant managed to endear the crowd with a wry smile and a thumbs-up gesture for his batting partner, aware the team needed the maverick to be on-strike during the fag end of the innings. Twitterati were quick to recognize Pantās selflessness and took to social media to praise his team spirit.
Scarifice
ā MAHARAJ JI (@MAHARAJ96620593)Ā November 10, 2022
All is well
A thumbs up by Rishabh Pant to Hardik Pandya.Ā pic.twitter.com/o1fVRR7Me8
ā Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)Ā November 10, 2022
Really proud
Proud of you Rishabh pant ā¤ļøĀ pic.twitter.com/FwKF6MjndY
ā Rishabh pant fans club (@rishabpantclub)Ā November 10, 2022
Slefless cricket
Moment of the match.
ā A R I N D A M (@ArindamSarma7)Ā November 10, 2022
Selfless cricket from Rishabh Pant.#INDvsENG#TeamIndiaĀ #AdelaideOvalĀ pic.twitter.com/5ieZJQKfp5
Very important
This thumbs up by Rishabh Pant gave us 10 runs.Ā #RishabPantĀ #INDvsENGĀ #HardikPandya#HardikPandyaĀ pic.twitter.com/asnKa4Fdtb
ā Nikhil Sanu (@nikhilsanu17)Ā November 10, 2022
Respect
me to rishabh pantĀ pic.twitter.com/wqxGXGayCS
ā Diaa (@JoshiDiya_)Ā November 10, 2022
Thanks
thank you rishabh pantĀ pic.twitter.com/mA6kJdR0dw
ā gordon (@gordonramashray)Ā November 10, 2022
He did for good
Rishabh Pant, you sacrificed your wicket for good today. š
ā Aditya (@Adityakrsaha)Ā November 10, 2022
Love
Rishabh Pantās itās ok sign after being run out is love! ā¤ļøĀ #INDvsENGĀ #HardikPandyaĀ #RishabpantĀ pic.twitter.com/QjPSfYZ91s
ā Sushil Chauhan (@SushilChauhann)Ā November 10, 2022
Good man!
me to rishabh pantĀ pic.twitter.com/XH8NEggJm2
ā vipin (@djfrankkie)Ā November 10, 2022
