Up until the wicketkeeper-batter’s run-out on the third delivery of the 66th over of India’s first innings, Gavaskar thought that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant had nicely complemented one another in the 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The run-out of Rishabh Pant at lunchtime on Day 2 of the third Test of the current England-India five-match series, according to former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, altered the course of the match.
Rishabh Pant tried a rapid run but missed the crease by an inch, and was dismissed on 74 off 112.
“That was the match’s most significant turning point. Both batters were hitting so good; their batting was excellent. It resembled a mixture of fire and ice. Rishabh Pant added strength and punch, putting significant pressure on the England bowling attack, while Rahul was all cool accuracy and played measured strokes. In an interview with India Today, Gavaskar said, “It was a fun partnership, and then, in that final hour before lunch, the run-out changed everything.”
Rahul left soon after the half because Gavaskar believed that the impact of Rishabh Pant run-out would have undoubtedly affected his thoughts as well.
“After lunch, we did reach the 100-run milestone, but a run-out like that may stick in your memory. Perhaps this explains the small slip-up that led to Rahul’s dismissal after the hundred. Thus, India lost two good hitters in a short period of time. It’s never simple to form a relationship from start when two new hitters have to step in out of nowhere,” he continued.
In their first innings, India managed to score as many as the hosts (387), but they were 22 runs shy of a historic victory. In the fourth red-ball match to be played at Old Trafford, Shubman Gill & Co. would like to draw even with the English, who are currently up by one game.
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