India’s batting display against Pakistan at the Nassau Cricket Stadium was inarguably Men in Blue’s worst batting performance against their arch-rival at World Cups. Having just lost one match against the Men in Green, Rohit Sharma’s men registered their lowest score against Pakistan in T20Is. The miserable batting display saw them score just 119, and that too because of Rishabh Pant.
Rishabh Pant return to his old role
The wicketkeeper, who had made a habit of saving India in Test cricket, replicated the same success for the first time in T20Is. He also chose the perfect time to do so, a saving grace in the India vs Pakistan match. He scored 30% of the team’s runs, and that too had a rapid strike rate of 135.48. That may not seem that high, but given how horribly Rohit Sharma and co. played, it was an achievement.
First of all, no Indian batter crossed the 20-run mark, while Pant scored 42 runs. No other batter faced 20 balls barring the southpaw, and among those who batted for at least 5 balls, none had a strike rate of over 112.
Having lost both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first three overs, someone needed to anchor India’s inning. Rishabh Pant decided to play the role. Although aggressive by nature, he held himself back and ensured they set a total that was at least worth defending. Had he fallen before, the Indian cricket team might have bundled under 100.
