ENG vs IND | Twitter in splits as Rishabh Pant wakes up inner maverick after losing patience

Yesterday at 5:19 PM

Rishabh Pant has always played the game of cricket on his own terms, be it the shorter format or the longer one. The Indian vice-captain displayed that yet again during the Lord’s Test against England, seeking Rahul’s advice before adventurously going for a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes.

‌With the third Test match between India and England evenly poised, the visitors started the third day with Rishabh Pant taking on pacer Jofra Archer with two fours in the first over, including a stepped-out shot over covers. But the Indian vice-captain mellowed down and adopted a cautious approach along with KL Rahul, with India managing 15 runs in the first five overs.

With wicketkeeper Jamie Smith coming up to the stumps in Chris Woakes' second over, Pant was forced to play from the crease. But the southpaw surprised everyone as he charged down the wicket in the third ball of the same over to defend a back-of-the-length delivery from the medium-pacer.

Woakes was also up for the battle as he kept bowling around that good length consistently. After blocking the first three deliveries off the pacer’s next over, Pant was heard asking Rahul whether the ball was outside the off-stump and whether he could leave it comfortably. With the senior batter giving the go-ahead, the wicketkeeper-batter left the next two balls with Jamie Smith collecting them safely behind the wicket.

But Rishabh Pant was not someone to get bogged down with pressure as he attempted an audacious reverse sweep off the last ball. But he could not get any contact with the cherry with Smith in action again, receiving the ball into his big gloves.

Twitter was in splits as the southpaw lost patience before falling back to his maverick ways again.

Advice

— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578)

Wow!

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant bring up a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket 🧿🏏🔥🇮🇳
— ANUSHKA S 🌠 (@SANDEEPMH07)

Dent the confidence

Rishab pant has decided to just dent the confidence of this England bowling

-but over the years the main player that has improved is KL Rahul !

He is the wall of India now
— kashif farid (@kash8778)

LOL

Rishabh Pant ka asar KL Rahul par bhi 😭😭
— ANUSHKA S 🌠 (@SANDEEPMH07)

Another one

Another 100 run partnership from this duo 🙌

KL Rahul - Rishabh Pant partnership in tests

9 innings

675 runs

74 avg 🔥
— #SSMB29 🦁🔥 (@wasVarunklstan)

LOL

KL Rahul is playing for draw but Pant is playing for Win 😂🫡
— 𝙎. (@KLfied_)

3rd century

KLASSY RAHUL × RISHABH PANT

3RD HUNDRED RUN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KL RAHUL AND RISHABH PANT ON 3RD TEST MATCH.🤯
— Gyanu Gautam (@gyanudatt8)

Grinding

KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant 100* runs partnership at Lord’s. One grinding, the other counter punching. A partnership built on grit, timing & sheer class. India clawing back thanks to two warriors. ❤️
— Cricket for her (@coverdrivetoher)

Will be an honour