romRishabh Pant was in brutal form as he came out to bat in the first innings of the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. Pant came into bat after India lost four wickets for 84 runs and changed the course of the game with a blazing fifty. Pant was in a destructive mood and tormented the Kiwi bowlers with a fiery onslaught. He fetched himself a brilliant half-century, reaching the milestone in just 36 balls. This was the fastest fifty by an Indian against New Zealand in a Test match.
Pant, Gill Put India On Top
Pant got the support from Shubman Gill who also scored a brilliant half-century. Pant and Gill added 96 runs together to put India on top in the third Test. Pant was dismissed by Ish Sodhi for 60, but Shubman Gill continued to keep Indian innings afloat. India were 195-5 at Lunch on Day 2, trailing New Zealand by just 40 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 236 in the first innings, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul and Washington Sundar’s four-fer.
While Pant and Gill's form will please India, the lack of runs from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be a cause of concern. The batters' long stretched lean run has put India in a spot of bother ahead of the five-match Test series in Australia.
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Plenty At Stake For India
The series is already lost for India but there is plenty at stake for the Rohit Sharma-led side. India were hot favourites to reach the WTC final, but the series defeat has dented their chances. However, if India can win the final Test against New Zealand and beat Australia by at least 3-0 in the Test series, they can have a chance to qualify for the WTC final. India won the last two Test tours to Australia, but it won’t be easy this time around.