Rishabh Pant announces red-ball comeback ahead of Bangladesh series with stunning 34-ball fifty in Duleep Trophy

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Rishabh Pant hit a scintillating 34-ball fifty on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India A and India B at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru. The knock comes just ahead of Team India's selection for the 2-Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19.

Pant, who could score only seven runs in his first red-ball innings since December 2022, looked in his elements on Saturday (September 7), hitting nine boundaries and two sixes en route to his 47-ball 61.

The knock helped India B take a solid 240-run second innings lead at the end of Day 3 play. The innings from Rishabh Pant came at a time when India B were reeling at 22/3 in the second innings.

He partnered for 72 runs with Sarfaraz Khan, and 46 runs with Nitish Reddy to resurrect the India B innings, and take them to a strong position.

The 26-year-old played classic drives, cuts, pulls, and also came down the track to hit a straight six off his India and Delhi Capitals (DC) teammate Kuldeep Yadav. As he picked a sharp single to complete his fifty in the 21st over, everyone in the ground stood up to acknowledge Pant's sensational red-ball comeback.

The swashbuckling batter was dismissed by Tanush Kotian as he tried to sweep a flighted delivery, but ended up top-edging it towards short fine leg.

Rishabh Pant's fifty is welcome news for the Indian cricket team ahead of their busy Test season which will see them play 10 Test matches from September 19 to January first week. India are also set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series.

Pant played a key role in India's historic 2-1 triumph during their last last tour of Australia in 2020-21. He hit the winning runs in the final Test as Australia lost in Brisbane for the first time in 32 years. Pant finished at unbeaten 89 off 138 balls as India chased down 328 in the fourth innings.