Rishabh Pant's hit a robust maiden ODI hundred to script India's glorious victory against England in the decisive third ODI on Sunday. The five-wicket victory also meant India sealed the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Pant again rose to the occasion with a scintillating 125 off 113 balls which was ably supported by Hardik Pandya's impressive 71 off 55 and 4.24 as the visitors completed the task with 47 balls to spare.
Pant also became first Asian wicketkeeper-batter to score Test, ODI centuries in England.
As the entire cricketing world went gaga over Pant's wizardry, former India's star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh put out a Tweet which read that he'd had a 45-minute conversation with the star wicketkeeper-batter and the pep talk led to the outcome.
“Looks like the 45-minute conversation made sense!! Well played @RishabhPant17. That’s how you pace your innings. @hardikpandya7, great to watch #indiavseng,” tweeted Yuvraj Singh.
As former India players celebrated 20 years of the team’s magnificent win over England in the Natwest Trophy final back in 2002, the Men in Blue lifted the ODI series championship cup in style just a few days later by replicating some similar heroics. A massive 326-run goal was chased down by India 20 years ago thanks in large part to the outstanding batting performances of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif.
Meanwhile, talking about the India-England 3rd ODI, Hardik grabbed a career-best 4/24 as a disciplined India bowled out England for 259 with more than four overs left in the innings.
Skipper Jos Buttler top-scored for England with an 80-ball 60, but it was the flamboyant all-rounder from Gujarat, who dominated the first half of the match with his excellent bowling, sending out a warning to the opponents in the year of the T20 World Cup.
In the company of Hardik, Pant then showed his extraordinary skills with the bat as he smashed 16 fours and two sixes in his sublime knock at Old Trafford.
This was after lanky seamer Reece Topley (3/35) again proved to be the wrecker-in-chief by removing the trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession.
Even though the target wasn’t as large, India found themselves in trouble at 72/4 when Pant and Hardik Pandya teamed up. With Pandya adding a quick 71 off 55 balls, after picking up four wickets in the first innings, the dynamic pair contributed 133 runs for the fifth wicket to put the Indian innings in momentum as they chased 260.
