Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant continued with his great form ever since his return to competitive cricket in the ongoing IPL 2024 during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the DR YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Vishakapatnam on Wednesday.
Chasing the hefty target of 274 set by KKR, Pant walked out to bat when DC were reeling at 33/4 after David Warner’s dismissal. However, Rishabh Pant challenged the KKR bowling attack with his power-hitting ability, and played a brilliant knock of 55 off 25 balls, at a strike rate of 220.
Apart from his knock, Pant’s no-look six caught the attention of the spectators at the stadium. The incident took place in the 12th over as the DC skipper deposited the ball into the stands without looking, off Venkatesh Iyer. In that over, Pant smashed Iyer for 28 runs, including 4 fours and 2 sixes to get to his second consecutive fifty of the ongoing IPL.
Pant’s no-look six received an applause and a standing ovation from KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, who was at the stadium to watch his team play. The video of the same went viral on social media.
In the end, Pant’s valiant effort went in vain as Delhi Capitals were bundled out for 166 in 17.2 overs. Pant’s wicket was a turning point for KKR, as the Delhi Capitals struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking. Apart from Pant, Tristan Stubbs too played well, scoring 54 off 32 balls.
(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)