Rishabh Pant Bowled for 99; KL Rahul Devastated as He Misses All-Time Indian Record

Rishabh Pant fell just one run short of making history in his latest match, dismissed for 99 in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This defeat marks the seventh time Pant has been dismissed in the nervous nineties during his Test career, leaving him one short of breaking MS Dhoni's all-time Indian record for the most Test centuries by a wicketkeeper-batter.

Before the start of play on Day 4, there was uncertainty surrounding Rishabh Pant's participation due to a knee injury sustained during a previous innings. However, Pant took to the crease at No. 5, teaming up with Sarfaraz Khan to dominate New Zealand's bowling attack and help Team India secure a crucial lead. Unfortunately, heartbreak struck when Pant was bowled out for 99, missing the opportunity to score his seventh Test century, which would have solidified his place in Indian cricket history.

As soon as Rishabh Pant was dismissed, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, who were in the dressing room, showed visible distress. Virat Kohli, seated just behind them, could not believe the turn of events, while KL Rahul, present at the non-striker's end, was seen on his haunches, devastated by the near-miss. Despite the disappointment, the crowd rose to give Pant a standing ovation for his valiant effort.

Rishabh Pant’s innings were characterized by aggressive shots, as he did not allow spinners Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra to settle, frequently hitting them for boundaries and sixes. Pant even took on 6 ft tall William O'Rourke, charging down the track to send him straight to the boundary. After a cloudy first session, the sun emerged, creating favorable batting conditions that Pant capitalized on. Unfortunately, it was O'Rourke who ultimately had the last laugh, as Pant misjudged a delivery and dragged the ball onto his stumps.

Rishabh Pant's Dismal Record in the 90s

This dismissal further emphasizes a significant statistic in Rishabh Pant's career, as he has now been dismissed in the nervous nineties on seven occasions in Test cricket. Had he converted all these near-misses into centuries, his current Test ton tally would stand at an impressive 13.

It's also worth noting that Rishabh Pant missed the entire 2023 cricket calendar due to a horrific car crash, making his comeback to international cricket even more commendable.

Returning to the ongoing Test against New Zealand, Team India has managed to gain a lead thanks to strong performances from Pant and Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz departed after scoring an impressive 150 off Tim Southee's bowling. Earlier, India had been bowled out for a mere 46 in the first innings, with the Kiwis taking a commanding 356-run lead after posting 402 runs.

In addition to Pant's contribution, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also recorded half-centuries in the second innings. The match has progressed rapidly, especially considering that the first day was completely washed out due to rain, with no balls bowled.