Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant stood against the Kiwi bowlers despite the overhead conditions on the fourth day, growing their partnership to 177 runs before the second new ball did its trick. Having already taken the lead despite a paltry total in the first innings, India marched on with KL Rahul joining Pant in the middle. While the brisk stand saw a mix of orthodox and audacious strokes, it came to an end with Will O’Rourke upsetting the Indian dugout and Pant on 99.
After a single off the last ball of the 88th over, Pant retained the strike to face WIll O’Rourke stranded at 99. The bowler came around the wicket and dished a back of a length delivery much outside the stumps that raised a tad bit due to the hardness of the second new ball. Pant failed to came behind the line and ended up with an inside edge back onto the stumps while trying to punch it. The death’s rattle certainly disappointed Pant who was seen trudging off the field disappointed while his partner Rahul was at his knees. When the cameras pointed at the dug out, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and co. had their hands on heads, a very similar expression that the Twitterverse reflected through words.
Heartbreak
It’s just a picture
Why are you crying it’s just a picture ? 😢
The picture ⬇️ #RishabhPant #pant #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/JYfrjeWiDQ— Harsh shekhawat (@wordofshekhawat) October 19, 2024
K.L Rahul is extremely 😖😖, that Sarfaraz Wicket will cost us this match , because the moment Rahul stepped in it was evitable that Pant will depart & he himself will throw his wicket , now with doors being opened NZ will keep on attacking Jadeja & Ash with short balls#INDvNZ
— rocky (@Unryn2) October 19, 2024
Monstrous
Heartbreaking
THE MOST HEARTBREAKING PICTURE OF THE DAY. 🥹💔
Rishabh Pant batted so well, even after struggling due to knee issues, he entertained like he does every time. 7th score in the 90s for Pant in Tests. 💔#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/e0GtqRttuK— Anubhav Pandey (45) (@Anubhav12475119) October 19, 2024
Heartbreak for Rishabh Pant, as he falls for 99 – his 7th score in the 90’s in Tests.#INDvNZ #TeamIndia #RishabhPant #India #Cricket pic.twitter.com/8AsofOurp6
— Ghanshyam Naamdev (@GsNaamdev) October 19, 2024
Sad
Yup
Rishabh Pant should permanently bat at that no 5 plac
Jurel the new wk (better than Klol &manages Pant workload)
Want him to be a 46-50 avging Batsman shaping Games & not a 40 avg maverick wk batsman mostly remembered as collapse saver & lower order hitter like others.#INDvNZ— Renessan {SINLESSAN} (@SINLESSAN) October 19, 2024
pant getting out on 99 is very very sad
— Anfaas🇵🇸 (@AnfaasUTD) October 19, 2024
We can’t
though we can’t really compare him with what others did on this pitch. he had to face new ball and that’s when sarfaraz and pant got out as well. https://t.co/vKnNUxVNd9
— hate bot (@1coff_een) October 19, 2024
