Rishabh Pant, renowned for his aggressive batting and exceptional wicketkeeping skills, surprised fans with an unexpected move during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024 opener. The star Indian cricketer took the bowling reins for the final over of the match, a decision that caught everyone off guard.
Rishabh Pant Bowls in Delhi Premier League
Despite Rishabh Pant's unconventional bowling stint, the match outcome was already decided, with the South Delhi Superstarz requiring just one run to secure victory. Nevertheless, the sight of Pant bowling in a competitive match sparked significant interest and discussion among fans and cricket pundits. However, Pant was there for just one match to promote DPL.
Some observers attributed Pant's bowling appearance to the desperate situation his team, Purani Dilli 6, found itself in, with victory seemingly out of reach. However, others couldn't ignore the potential connection to Gautam Gambhir's recent appointment as India's head coach. Gambhir's coaching tenure has seen several Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh, take up bowling responsibilities during the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.
India's Bowling Experiment Under Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir's initial stint as India's head coach was marked by an unexpected trend: the emergence of several part-time bowlers from the batting ranks. Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, and even captain Rohit Sharma were seen bowling during the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Suryakumar and Rinku's bowling efforts were particularly noteworthy, as their contributions played a pivotal role in India's Super Over victory in one of the T20I matches. Gill and Rohit also showcased their versatility by bowling in the ODI series.
The Indian team's emphasis on part-time bowling options was highlighted by then-interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. Pant's recent bowling appearance in the Delhi Premier League further fueled discussions around this strategy.
Pant's unimpressive show in DPL 2024 opener
Rishabh Pant, who made a triumphant return to cricket during the 2024 Indian Premier League after a serious car accident, showcased a somewhat rusty performance with the bat in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) opener, scoring 35 runs off 32 deliveries. His contributions were invaluable to India during their victorious T20 World Cup campaign, where he excelled as the team's No. 3 batter.
Despite being included in India's squads for both the T20I and ODI series post the World Cup, Pant's playing time was limited, with appearances in only three out of the six matches.
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