MOHALI, Mar 4:
Indian cricket’s rapidly-rising box-office draw Rishabh Pant owned the centre-stage in Virat Kohli’s landmark 100th Test hammering Sri Lankan bowlers into submission with an enthralling 96 as the hosts reached a commanding 357 for 6 on the opening day of the first Test here today.
The 5000 odd spectators, who had come to watch Kohli perform on a grand stage, saw one of the most flamboyant batters in recent history make a mockery of an average Sri Lankan attack.
He was especially brutal when it came to going after left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (28-2-107-2), who was taken for 22 in one over.
The deathly silence after Kohli’s shock exit for a well-made 45 was there for barely a second and half. Because at that point entered the stockily built 24-year-old from India’s engineering city of Rourkee and that was followed by a deafening roar which showed his popularity.
On Kohli’s day, he had completely over-shadowed the legend.
And those who came for Kohli, decided to stay back and savour Pant’s mayhem as he started with a signature lofted six off Embuldeniya over mid-wicket fence.
Embuldeniya, who must have felt emboldened when he got one to turn a shade away and tickle Kohli’s off-stump, didn’t know what hit him.
In just over one and half session, Pant nearly reached his fourth hundred in Test cricket before veteran Suranga Lakmal (1/63), in his last international series, breached his defence.
There were nine fours and four sixes in his 97-ball knock and one couldn’t but feel for the young man who looked completely devastated after another near-miss, the fifth time that he has gotten out in the 90s. (PTI)
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