![Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took to bowling in the Delhi Premier League on Saturday evening.](https://www.wisden.com/static-assets/waf-images/7d/b9/d6/16-9/TM6xzU82TX.png?v=23.06&w=1200)
Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took to bowling, in an unexpected move in the inaugural match of the Delhi Premier League on Saturday (August 17).
In the newest franchise league on the Indian cricket scene, Rishabh Pant was in action as the captain of Purani Delhi 6 against South Delhi Superstars. Purani Delhi were put in to bat first, and scored 197-3 courtesy of opener Arpit Rana's half-century and a 19-ball 47 from Vansh Bedi. Pant batted at No.3, scoring 35 off 32 balls.
In reply, South Delhi were led by their top three of Priyansh Arya (57), Sarthak Ray (41), and captain Ayush Badoni (57) as they cantered towards the target before losing a few wickets in a heap. By the time 19 overs were bowled, they needed just one more run to win.
At that point, Pant swapped his keeping gloves for the ball, and arrived at the bowling crease. He sent down a gentle leg-break which was tapped down the ground for a single by Digvesh Rathi to secure a win for the Superstars.
Ben Duckett defends his comment on Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting being credited to England earlier this year and says it was blown out of proportion.
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The move was reminiscent of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's decision to bowl the last over against Sri Lanka in a T20I last month. In that match, he took 2-5 to help India tie the game and send it to a super over.
Pant has bowled once in first-class cricket before. In February 2017, he was representing India A against a touring Australian side in a three-day match. In the Australians' second innings, Pant bowled two overs, conceding nine runs and picking up the wicket of Peter Handscomb.
Watch Rishabh Pant bowl in the Delhi Premier League here
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— KL QUEEDA (@indianspirit070) August 17, 2024
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