WATCH: Rishabh Pant takes on Ish Sodhi by hitting consecutive sixes in Hamilton practice match

Rishabh Pant takes on Ish Sodhi: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman scored a quickfire half-century against New Zealand XI. 

During the third day of the first practice match of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand in Hamilton, India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant showed signs of finding form after hitting a quickfire half-century in the last session.

Coming on the back of scoring 7 (10) in the first innings, the southpaw needed runs behind him to push a case for selection in the first Test starting on February 21. With Wriddhiman Saha also in the squad, only one of them will get to take field at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Pant, who was promoted up the order at No. 4, scored 70 (65) with the help of four fours and four sixes as he shared a 100-run partnership for the third wicket alongside opening batsman Mayank Agarwal.

The highlight of Pant’s innings came in the 27th over when Pant hit New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi for consecutive sixes. Pant, who didn’t step out on both the occasions, made a strong connection with the ball to hit it over Sodhi’s head twice.

Opening the batting with Prithvi Shaw (39), Agarwal top-scored for India with his 81 (99) with the help of 10 fours and three sixes. Both Agarwal and Pant scoring individual half-centuries guided India to score 252/4 in 48 overs at Stumps on Day 3.

Having gained a 28-run lead in the first innings, India made the most of their practice match. While the Playing XI can’t be confirmed as of now, two areas which require pondering is the second opening batsman and the wicket-keeper.

Rishabh Pant takes on Ish Sodhi

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