[Watch] "Mereko kya pata ise Hindi aati hai" - Rishabh Pant's cheeky reaction after bowling advice goes wrong on Day 1 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
There was a hilarious Rishabh Pant moment on Day 1 of the second India vs New Zealand Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24. He advised Washington Sundar to bowl a particular length to tailender Ajaz Patel. But after the batter slammed the Indian offie for a four, the keeper realized that the batter understands Hindi.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz (36) was born in Mumbai and is the fifth Indian-origin cricketer to represent New Zealand. He is among only three bowlers to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings in a Test match.
On Thursday, Ajaz was unintentionally part of a hilarious incident featuring the Indian wicketkeeper and off-spinner Sundar. Pant was caught on stump mic advising the bowler:
"Washi aage daal sakta hai (You can bowl it a little fuller). Thoda bahar daal sakta hai (You can pitch it a little outside)."
Sundar seemed to listen to the keeper's advice and pitched one up outside the off stump. Left-handed batter Ajaz, however, lofted the delivery and slammed a four over the leg side field. After Ajaz completed his stroke, Pant was again heard on the stump mic saying:
"Yaar mereko kya pata ise Hindi aati hai (I didn't realize he knows Hindi)."
Watch video below
Ajaz was eventually cleaned up by Sundar for four off nine balls. The Kiwi southpaw tried to block a flat delivery that also spun a bit, but only managed to edge the ball back onto the stumps. Sundar, who was drafted into the Indian team ahead of the second Test, registered career-best figures of 7-59 as the hosts bundled out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1 of the Pune Test.
Rishabh Pant has been consistent with the bat since returning to Test cricket
Have been out of red-ball action for nearly two years following a car accident, Pant made a comeback to Test cricket in September 2024 during the two-match home series against Bangladesh. He has excelled with the willow ever since returning to Test cricket, batting as if he had never been away from it.
Pant scored 39 and 109 in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai and followed it up with scores of nine and four (not out) in Kanpur. After being dismissed for 20 in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he contributed a defiant 99 off 105 deliveries in the second essay.