Rishabh’s ‘Pant’astic knock against Mumbai Indians sets Twitter on fire

Delhi Capitals had struggled for momentum in the game against Mumbai Indians. They were scoring at eight runs an over but they needed a big total on a Wankhede deck that was good for batting. Enter Rishabh Pant and he changed the entire complexion of the match with an amazing exhibition of power-hitting. After scoring just one run off five balls, the Delhi left-hander decided to cut loose in the 15^th over and he targeted Ben Cutting. He scooped the first ball from Cutting for a boundary to fine leg. On the fifth ball, Pant looked to pull a short ball but the top edge went over the keeper but he signaled his intentions by smashing Cutting over deep midwicket for his first six.

After losing Shikhar Dhawan for 43, Pant decided to target Hardik Pandya and in the last three balls of the 16^th over, there was carnage. Pant mauled a pull shot to deep midwicket for his second six and blasted a full ball to wide long off for a boundary. The last ball was dispatched into the stands as Pandya leaked 18 runs in his final over.

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Pant hammered two boundaries off New Zealand left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan, one through wide long off and one to fine leg but his assault on Jasprit Bumrah, the best death bowler in the world currently, set social media on fire. Bumrah nailed a yorker on the stumps and Pant copied MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot as he whipped over deep square leg for his fourth six. Pant notched up his fifty off just 19 balls by creaming a short ball to the midwicket region.

Rishabh Pant shots are like how Jadeja celebrates after a fifty . Total swordsmanship plus Dhoni helicopter shots ! #DCvMI

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 24, 2019

Rishabh Pant is a serious player !!!

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) March 24, 2019

The 19^th over bowled by Rasikh Salam, the youngest player to make his debut in the IPL at the age of 17, resulted in more pain for Mumbai Indians. Pant smashed yet another six over deep square leg and his sixth six was a one-handed shot that went into the stands at long on. The youngster was now batting in beast mode and he hammered a wide ball to widish long on for a boundary.

Just how good is Rishabh Pant. And yes, he’s worth investing in. #MIvDC #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 24, 2019

When Pant pumped his seventh six in the final over bowled by Bumrah, Delhi Capitals had scored 99 runs in six overs and his unbeaten 78 off 27 balls at a strike-rate of 288.89 helped Delhi Capitals reach 213/6. The onslaught gave Delhi Capitals a 37-run win over Mumbai Indians but Pant’s knock set social media on fire, with many hailing him as a once-in-a-generation player.

One handed six goes into the second tier. If he had both hands on it that ball would’ve fallen into the Arabian Sea #MIvDC #RishabhPant

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 24, 2019

Rishabh Pant Becomes Thor Today.... He is not 2nd Ms Dhoni.... He is First Rishabh Pant....Each & Evry shot that He played Today-He Has innovator of Many Shots.... @RishabPant777.... 🤗🤗🤗🤗 pic.twitter.com/RbgnYNT5FP

— Nilesh Khedikar (@NileshKhedikar5) March 24, 2019

78* off 27 balls. Rishabh Pant on fire. Didn't even spare the best death bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Take a bow for young champ. 👏#MIvDC pic.twitter.com/XmfZOXlnRP

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) March 24, 2019

Delhi Capitals will now face Chennai Super Kings at the Feroz Shah Kotla on March 26 and it will be a battle between Pant and his idol, MS Dhoni.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delhi Capitals smashed 99 runs in the final six overs.
• Mumbai Indians lost to Delhi Capitals by 37 runs.
• Rishabh Pant hit seven fours and seven sixes in his knock of 78 off 27 balls.