Watch: Rishabh Pant, Ben Stokes trade phrases after India star’s signature shot

The temper amongst Indian followers at Headingley turned sombre when Ben Stokes introduced an finish to a masterclass from Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 1 of the Check collection opener. Having develop into the first Indian opener to attain a Check century on the venue, Jaiswal seemed set for extra, however was undone by a ripper of a supply within the post-Tea session.
But it surely took Rishabh Pant solely two deliveries to raise the spirits within the stands. On simply his second ball, the newly-appointed vice-captain danced down the pitch and lofted Stokes straight over his head for a boundary—his first of the innings and a transparent assertion of intent. Pant signalled that even in a management function, he had no plans to draw back from his pure sport. | Leeds Check Day 1 Updates – Scorecard |
The audacious stroke, coming simply after Stokes had dismissed the centurion, appeared to bruise the England captain’s ego. Nonetheless, Stokes masked his feelings properly, smiling as he returned to his mark and fascinating in a light-hearted trade with Pant.
In his subsequent over, Stokes tried to outfox the Indian wicketkeeper with a slower yorker at 100 kph. The plan practically labored, with Pant simply managing to carry his bat down in time to keep away from being trapped leg-before. This time, Pant responded with a wry smile and one other pleasant chat with Stokes, protecting the temper on the sphere playful.
Although he started with attribute flamboyance, Pant quickly settled right into a extra restrained innings. He dealt with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir with persistence, resisting the urge to assault, and handled Stokes’ short-pitched bowling calmly, exhibiting a extra measured aspect to his sport.
Pant had beforehand come below criticism for his method throughout India’s 1–3 Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat, the place he managed only one fifty throughout ten innings. However the early indicators in Leeds advised a extra accountable Pant, very like captain Shubman Gill.
Earlier within the day, KL Rahul squandered a superb begin, falling in need of a giant rating. Jaiswal transformed his into an excellent fifth Check century, whereas Gill produced a composed and unbeaten knock, silencing his critics with authority.
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