New Delhi: Team India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant emulated MS Dhoni’s iconic helicopter shot to deliver it into the stands in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The left-handed batter featured in the playing eleven over Sanju Samson as Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Rishabh played the shot in the 16th over of the first innings against right-arm pacer Asitha Fernando. Fernando looked to bowl the wide yorker, but failed to execute his plan and delivered a full toss at a comfortable length. The left-hander utilized the full of the loose delivery as he took position and played a helicopter shot to send the ball into the stands on the on-side.
Rishabh Pant plays the helicopter shot. pic.twitter.com/SbOj7BTfZ6
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 27, 2024
Meanwhile, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill started aggressively, hitting boundaries at will and forging a 74-run partnership in just 6 overs. Following their quick dismissals, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant took charge. Skipper Suryakumar was particularly relentless and innovative in finding the boundary.
Suryakumar was dismissed for 58 by Matheesha Pathirana, ending a 76-run stand with Pant. Despite the efforts of Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh, they struggled to finish strong. Pant scored 49 off 33 deliveries, helping India reach a total of 213/7 in 20 overs.
