NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his belief that Rishabh Pant has truly returned to form, following the Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper's captivating performance against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Visakhapatnam.
Riding on Pant and David Warner fifties, DC, who finally tasted their first victory in IPL 2024, defeated defending champions CSK by 20 runs.
Chasing a 192-run target, CSK were rattled by pacers Khaleel Ahmed (2/21) and Mukesh Kumar (3/21), and ended up at 171 for six.
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Pant's sensational batting display evoked a sense of nostalgia among the crowd as he dominated the CSK bowlers with his aggressive strokeplay.
During the 19th over, Pant showcased his vintage flair by creating space for himself and dispatching a six off Matheesha Pathirana. This classic shot was followed by consecutive boundaries on the next two deliveries, prompting Pant to raise his bat in acknowledgment.
His well-paced innings (51 off 31 balls) played a pivotal role in guiding the Delhi Capitals to a competitive total of 191/5, leaving a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.
"Rishabh Pant is well and truly back. Brilliant inning this," Pathan wrote on X.
Even Pant's compatriot David Warner didn't hold back from lavishing praise on his Delhi Capitals teammate during the mid-innings break.
"Probably what we have got is ideal, but 200 would have been fantastic. We lost two wickets in the middle and the way Rishabh came out and played was phenomenal. He (Prithvi) has been working very hard, and to see him hit cleanly was fantastic. Hard lengths into the wicket and off pace stuck and held on the pitch. We got to hit the stumps as much as we can, get the fields right and make sure we bowl to that," Warner said.
In a noteworthy milestone, Pant recently marked his 100th appearance in the IPL during DC's second game of the season against the Rajasthan Royals.
To commemorate this achievement, the DC camp celebrated Pant's milestone by presenting him with a special jersey adorned with the number 100 imprinted on the back.
Pant's journey in this IPL season holds particular significance, as it marks his comeback to professional cricket after a hiatus of 14 months. This break was due to injuries sustained in a road accident back in 2022.
Following his recovery, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cleared the left-handed batter, declaring him fit to participate in the 17th edition of the tournament.
Pant's return to action has been eagerly anticipated by fans and cricket enthusiasts alike, adding an extra layer of significance to his landmark appearance in the IPL.
(With ANI inputs)
