Ind vs Eng / Pant reverse-scoops Archer's 140-kmph delivery for six, bowler's reaction goes viral

India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant slammed a 58-metre six by reverse-scooping a 140-kmph delivery by England pacer Jofra Archer in the first T20I. Pant premeditated the shot and hit the six over the third man. Pant had hit a similar shot against James Anderson in fourth Test. Archer was seen smiling in disbelief, with his reaction going viral on social media.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Mar 13, 2021, 08:51 AM
Cricket Desk: Rishabh Pant has been in red-hot form this year. After a tough 2020 that saw him lose his place in India’s playing eleven across all the formats, Pant has started this year on a stunning note. In January, he scored two impressive fifties during the Test series in Australia to guide India to a monumental 2-1 series win.

It was followed by an impressive Test series against England at home. The southpaw started the series with a 91-run knock in the first Test before playing an unbeaten knock of 58 in the second Test. He concluded the four-match Test series with the stunning century in Ahmedabad. It was his first Test century at home.

Rishabh Pant fails to score big but unleashes an outrageous shot

The stunning display in Tests saw Rishabh Pant earn a recall from the T20I team for the ongoing series against England. He was also included in the playing eleven for the ongoing first T20I in Ahmedabad. The left-handed batsman, however, failed to score big on his return to T20Is as he was out for just 21 off 23 balls.

But while Pant failed to score big on his T20I return, he managed to make an impression by playing an outrageous shot off Jofra Archer. The hard-hitting batsman reverse-swept Archer for a stunning six. With the third man fielder inside the circle, Pant decided to pull off the outrageous shot and executed his plans perfectly. To rub salt on Archer’s wound, Pant followed his six with a four on the following delivery.

Talking about the game, India have posted a modest total of 124 for 7 after being asked to bat first. The Men in Blue were off to a disastrous start as England bowlers blew India’s top-order away. Archer gave England the early breakthrough by dismissing KL Rahul for just 1 before Adil Rashid sent back India skipper Virat Kohli for a 5-ball duck.

Shikhar Dhawan could not do much either as Mark Wood castled him for 4 to leave India reeling at 20 for 3. At one stage, it looked like the hosts would not even touch the 100-run mark but a 67-run knock from Shreyas Iyer helped the hosts post 124.