In the opening Test match between India and Sri Lanka at Galle on August 18, Rishabh Pant scored 66 off 69 balls in the second innings to help India record 193 and set the hosts a target of 372 runs. Former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara praised the innings, which featured two maximums and four boundaries.
India led by 178 runs in the first innings after scoring 462 and dismissing Sri Lanka for 284. With the addition of 193 in the second innings, Sri Lanka now has a 372-run mark to chase.
What aspects of Rishabh Pant batting strategy in the second innings did Pujara draw attention to?
The biggest improvement between Pant’s two innings in the game, according to Pujara, was shot selection. Rishabh Pant was bowled in the first innings when attempting a huge shot from Keshara Nuwantha with the second new ball; Pujara’s subsequent discipline contrasted strikingly with this mistake.
What impact did Rishabh Pant knock have on India’s performance in the first Test at Galle?
In India’s second innings of 193, Pant’s 66 was the highest individual score. KL Rahul scored 35 off 47 balls in the first innings, while Devdutt Padikkal followed up his 167 with a calm 44 off 75 balls. For Rishabh Pant, the knock also represented a significant personal achievement. During his innings, he became the first batter from India and the fourth overall to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket. He did so in 4,918 balls, which is the fewest balls any batsman has ever needed to do so.
With six wickets left, Sri Lanka needed 288 more runs to win after finishing Day 4 at 84 for 4 in their second innings. On Day 5, India will try to finish the game.
