WATCH: Rishabh Pant puts injury concerns aside to score terrific Test fifty against New Zealand in Bengaluru

Team India needs just 12 runs to make New Zealand bat again during the 1st Test in Bengaluru. Rishabh Pant, who missed the majority of 1st Innings behind the stumps, was back batting at the start of day four on Saturday. The 27-year-old is playing just his 3rd Test match since his return after a lengthy layoff. 

After top scoring with 20 in the 1st innings, Pant began in a sedate manner. His first attacking shot came with his score on 7 when he drove uppishly for a boundary. There was a minor moment of scare in the 1st hour of play when New Zealand missed a runout. Post that Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan steadied the ship with aggressive cricket. 

Rishabh Pant’s fifty came with a side of drama! What a show 🔥🔥🔥 #INDvNZ #TeamIndia #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/5ScOwGcXoW

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 19, 2024

Rain came down just before lunch with India having played 71 overs and scored 344/3. Pant was batting on 53 off 56 balls with five boundaries and 3 sixes. Sarfaraz Khan was on 125 off 154 balls with 16 fours and 3 sixes as the pair added unbeaten 113 runs from 132 balls. 

Rishabh Pant helps India fight back with dazzling knock 

After getting new life after the missed runout chance, Rishabh Pant didn’t let any scoring chances go. His first big shot was against Tim Southee as Pant smashed the Kiwi pacer straight down the ground for a huge six that hit the stands. 

Ajaz Patel saw Pant hit two more sixes in the 66th over to continue the onslaught. In the same over Indian wicketkeeper was given out LBW but the batter had got an inside edge which saved Pant. 

In the next ball, New Zealand opted to use the DRS when the umpire turned down a huge appeal for LBW. Just like the previous delivery it was seen that Pant had got a huge edge which saved India’s wicketkeeper and batter. 

The moment India waited for, finally arrived in the 71st over when Glenn Phillips tossed the ball outside off stump. Pant pierced the gap to go between two fielders in the cover region for a four to raise his fifty. 

With 5 sessions to go, the partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant will be crucial for India. With the pitch starting to do tricks and the cracks starting to open up even a target of 150-175 will be difficult for the Kiwi batters.