Rishabh Pant showed his old form and scored a quick half-century by hitting reverse scoop-pull shots

Team India's star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who returned to red-ball cricket after a long wait of about 21 months, did not have a good start but he did not take much time to get back into rhythm. Pant, who is participating in the Duleep Trophy to prepare for the Test series against Bangladesh, scored a half-century in just 34 balls against India-A. Pant, playing for India-B, played a stormy innings on the third day of the match and played an important role in taking his team's lead beyond 200 runs.

After the road accident in December 2022, Rishabh Pant made a comeback to T20 cricket from IPL earlier this year and then took his place again in the ODI format on the Sri Lanka tour. Everyone was just waiting for his return to Test cricket because, in the 2 years before the accident, he was one of the most important batsmen of Team India in this format. Although his return in the series against Bangladesh was considered certain, but even before that, the test of fitness and form for the long format from the Duleep Trophy was yet to be done.

While playing for India-B, Pant showed his prowess in both these matters. He did not face any problems in wicketkeeping and he did his job well behind the wicket but the first innings of batting was not good for him. Then he was out after scoring just 7 runs in 10 balls. Pant lost his wicket while trying to play a big shot but in the second innings he had a chance to rectify it and he did not miss it.

Pant started explosive batting as soon as he came and attacked the India-A bowlers. Pant hit a four by playing a reverse scoop shot on Akash Deep, while he hit aggressive pull shots on Khalil Ahmed and Avesh Khan. Then Pant completed his half-century in just 34 balls by hitting a four and a six in the same over of spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Pant's innings did not last long but he completed his job by hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes in just 47 balls.

Apart from Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, who failed in the first innings, also batted in the second innings. Sarfaraz could score only 9 runs in the first innings while his younger brother Musheer Khan played a memorable innings of 181 runs. This time Musheer could not even open his account but Sarfaraz showed his strength. He looked angry and his anger burst on Akash Deep when Sarfaraz hit 5 consecutive fours in his one-over. Sarfaraz was out after scoring 46 runs in just 36 balls.