5 most wholesome Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav moments
Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav were engaged in yet another playful banter during their match in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024. The video has been doing rounds on social media and the fans are in complete awe of the bonding between the star cricketers.
The two share a strong bond from the past many years, while playing together for the Indian team and the Delhi Capitals in IPL. On many occasions, Yadav has praised Pant for supporting him to get his career back on track. The confidence has further propelled the skiful spinner to shine for the Indian team as well.
On that note, let's take a look at the few wholesome moments between Pant and Yadav, which have brought smiles to the faces of the cricket fraternity and fans.
#1 Pant cools off angry Kuldeep during IPL 2024
During IPL 2024 game between the Delhi Capitals and the Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep Yadav was heard saying, "Pagal hai kya" (are you mad) to Mukesh Kumar.
The incident happened during the eighth over of the innings, when Kuldeep bowled to Rahul Tewatia. Sensing a quick single, non-striker Abhinav Manohar took off from his end, but was sent back by Tewatia, which presented a run-out chance.
However, Mukesh Kumar sent a wayward throw, which made Yadav furious on the pacer. As a result, he hurled at Kumar, but was then calmed down by Rishabh Pant, who told him, "Gussa nahi" (no anger).
#2 "Out ho na jaldi" - Duleep Trophy 2024
During a recent heartwarming interaction between Yadav and Pant, the wicketkeeper was visibly frustrated by the long stay of spinner, who had already played 40+ balls, while India B were on the cusp of victory against India A.
After Pant told his teammates that he has made a strong plan to dismiss Yadav, the latter clapped back to not disturb him. In a jovial mood, Pant asked the spinner to give his wicket away.
Kuldeep Yadav was eventually dismissed nine balls later for 14 off 56, as India B won the game by 76 runs.
#3 Kuldeep Yadav grabbing Rishabh Pant's hands to take DRS during IPL 2024
In another viral moment during IPL 2024, Kuldeep Yadav forced Rishabh Pant to take a review. It all happened during the ninth match of IPL 2024 against the Rajastan Royals, where Jos Buttler tried to reverse sweep Yadav, but could not make a connection, as the ball ruffled his pads. Although both appealed for an LBW dismissal, the umpire deemed it as not-out.
However, Yadav was confident about the ball going hitting the stumps, as he grabbed Pant's hands and made a DRS gesture to the umpire. Yadav's conviction eventually rewarded the Capitals, as the ball crashed into the middle and leg stump.
Although the dismissal went in their favor, the Royals managed to score 185 and win the game by 12 runs.
#4 "Maa kasam khale, nahi lega" - Duleep Trophy 2024
During the same innings in the aforementioned game of Duleep Trophy, another interaction of the duo sent fans into a frenzy. After Kuldeep Yadav hit a four towards the deep mid-wicket, Rishabh Pant asked the fielders to stop the spinner from taking a single on the last ball of the over to retain his stay at the striker end.
In response, the 29-year-old responded to Pant by saying that he won't be taking a single. Pant, in his usual self asked Yadav to swear it on his mother’s name. The comment drew a smile from Yadav, as he faced the next ball.
#5 Playing in a hotel corridor due to rain in 2019
After the first ODI between India and the West Indies was washed out due to rain in Guyana in 2019, Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav were seen honing skills in a hotel corridor. The Indian team were forced to stay indoors amid rainy conditions outdoors ahead of the second game of the series.
The wicketkeeper posted a video of the duo, where he has his gloves on and is receiving the ball from Yadav, who is turning the ball sharply as the hotel corridor looked like a 22-yard strip.