“I just wanted to focus one ball at a time and pace the innings” – Rishabh Pant on his heroics in the third ODI against England

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Team India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant scored his maiden ODI century in the third and final contest against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The 24-year-old rescued India out of peril along with Hardik Pandya at the other end. 

"I just wanted to focus one ball at a time and pace the innings" - Rishabh Pant on his heroics in the third ODI against England

Pant’s unbeaten 125 propelled India to a 2-1 series win in the three-match ODI series. Chasing 260, the wicket-keeper came into bat with the score reading 21-2 after five overs.

Considering the situation, the flamboyant batter had to tone down his natural instinct and play with a more conservative approach. He changed gears once the target was in sight and ended with a strike rate of 110.

Hoping to remember this special knock till the end of his life, Pant said during the post-match presentation:

“Hopefully I remember (this knock) for the rest of my life. I was focusing on one ball at a time when I was batting. When your team is under pressure and you bat like that .. something I aspire to do. I always enjoy playing in England, at the same time enjoy the atmosphere and the situation.”

Despite struggling to close out the innings, the bowlers have arguably done a commendable job in quietening the English batting unit. Hardik Pandya, who used the short-ball to good effect against the long boundary, claimed his best figures in the format and was adjudged man of the series for his heroics.

Praising the efforts of the Indian bowlers, Pant said:

“The more you play the more experience you get and as a player you keep improving day by day. As a player that’s what I’m looking forward to. Take nothing away from the bowlers on a wicket like this. Not the best wicket to bat on but the bowlers still bowled well to restrict them to 260. Not only in this match or series but they’ve bowled well throughout the year.”

India bounced back in style following their defeat in the rescheduled fifth Test against England. Notching back-to-back series wins against a formidable white-ball side, the Rohit Sharma-led side are high on confidence as they head to the Caribbean next.

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“At no point we felt they were panicking” – Rohit Sharma on the match-winning partnership between Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant