Rishabh Pant was fearless without being careless during a brilliant hundred in the most adverse circumstances but South Africa were on course for a memorable series win against India on a day when visiting skipper Virat Kohli was left fuming due to a contentious DRS decision in the third and final Test here.
#— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 13, 2022
The reason why we keep talking so highly about #pant is the ability to play game changing innings! Brilliant — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 13, 2022
Rishabh Pant is a special player…played the best Test knock by an Indian in 2021 (Gabba). And here, he’s played another gem. It wasn’t even a contest without Pant’s contribution. #SAvInd— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 13, 2022
Pant’s (100 not out off 139 balls) fourth Test hundred constituted for more than 50 per cent of India’s shoddy second innings total of 198 with Kohli’s 29 off 143 balls being the second highest individual score.With an easy target of 212 to chase, South Africa were 101 for 2 at stumps as their dogged skipper Dean Elgar (30) was finally out tickling down the leg side giving India some breathing space going into the fourth and probably the final day of the series.
A simply outstanding knock by @RishabhPant17 at a crucial stage!Well done.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/gdlTgfH3UE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 13, 2022
Incredible from #RishabhPant . Just two other batsmen reached double fingers and has single -handedly kept India in the game. Not just an ex-factor but one of India’s biggest match-winner in Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/8FqX1FrIIK— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 13, 2022
Well played @RishabhPant17 best ever you beauty ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/MJZomGY2Zq— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 13, 2022
With 111 runs left, the match is expected to end early on Friday either way but at this moment Proteas look way ahead.
With eight batters failing to reach even double figures, no amount of excuses would be enough for India when they analyse the below par show along with the new team management’s decision to carry over-the-hill out of form seniors, which only compounded problems. It’s up to the bowlers now.
This was the first Test match in 145-year-history where all 20 batters of one team were caught.
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