![Rishabh Pant's trick dismissed Pasindu Sooriyabandara [Source: Screengrab/Sony Sports Network]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787744244539_RishabhPantStumping.jpg?type=hq)
Rishabh Pant's trick dismissed Pasindu Sooriyabandara [Source: Screengrab/Sony Sports Network]
Rishabh Pant returned to the field for Team India on Day 4 of their second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Earlier, the cricketer was forced to spend the entirety of Day 3 on the sidelines owing to his shoulder pain, as confirmed by Dhruv Jurel and coach Morne Morkel.
It now appears that Pant has made a triumphant return to the field for Team India, as the experienced wicketkeeper-batter made a huge impact behind the stumps to hand his side the key breakthrough of Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
Rishabh Pant proves his worth with experience behind the stumps
In the 61st over of the second Sri Lanka innings on Day 4, Sri Lanka’s well-set number three Pasindu Sooriyabandara survived a close LBW appeal and a review from Indian spinner Manav Suthar.
As captured by the stump mic, India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant sensed that Sooriyabandara was getting restless. Shortly after the cricketer survived the review, Pant instructed a fielder at mid-on to be ready.
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As predicted by Pant, Pasindu Sooriyabandara was indeed desperate to break the shackles. He stepped out of the crease the very next ball to dispatch Suthar for a boundary over the extra cover.
The batter, however, completely missed a wider ball outside the off-stump, with Pant completing an easy stumping.
All in all, it was Pant’s intense game awareness that yielded a huge wicket of Pasindu Sooriyabandara for Team India.
With the Indian wicketkeeper predicting a sense of urgency within Sri Lanka’s number three batter, smart fielding placement and a deliberate wider ball from Suthar scripted his walk back to the sheds for a well-compiled 92 off 173 balls.
It is worth noting that Rishabh Pant also denied the 26-year-old batter a chance of listing his maiden Test century with the wicket.
Rishabh Pant proves Morne Morkel right
Just yesterday after stumps on Day 3, India bowling coach Morne Morkel had signified the importance of Rishabh Pant for the team. While speaking with the reporters, Morkel stated that Pant had a badly bruised shoulder and was due to be assessed by the medical staff.
The former South Africa fast bowler also added that Team India needed Pant’s experience as he “reads the game well” from behind the stumps.
" We (India) want his (Rishabh Pant's) experience behind the stumps because he reads the game really well," Morkel had told the media after day 3 of the Colombo Test.
As it happened, Pant did read the game upon his return, yielding an important wicket of the day for his side.
Rishabh Pant’s comeback a relieving sign for Team India
Even though Dhruv Jurel served well as India’s wicketkeeper in the absence of injured Pant, the return of the senior stumper has come as a huge relief for the ‘Men in Blue’.
With Team India set to tour New Zealand for a highly anticipated Test series as part of the WTC 2025-27, Pant’s presence will prove highly valuable on those surfaces, considering not many Indian players in the current squad have had prior experience of playing in New Zealand.
Although there were initial doubts over the exact timeline of Pant’s return, his presence behind the stumps for India on Day 4 has provided a timely reminder of just how valuable his experience and game awareness can be to the team.
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