On Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan produced a blazing partnership, adding 177 runs for the fourth wicket. Their effort gave India a solid fightback, putting pressure on the Black Caps’ bowlers. While Sarfaraz converted his maiden century into 150, he was eventually dismissed, leaving the spotlight on Pant as he approached his own hundred.
Rishabh Pant’s confident approach ends in disappointment
As Pant entered the 90s, fans could sense his confidence when he smashed a massive six, hinting that he was unperturbed by the nervousness often associated with reaching a century. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred after Tim Southee switched the bowling and brought William O’Rourke into the attack.
On the very first ball of the 89th over in India’s second innings, Pant dragged the ball onto his stumps, falling agonizingly short at 99. The ball kicked up from a short length, surprising Pant on the defense. It hit the splice of his bat and crashed into the stumps, shattering his hopes of a brilliant hundred. The stadium was left in shock, with fans recovering from the unexpected dismissal to give Pant a standing ovation. The Indian dressing room also showed visible disappointment over the narrow miss.
Fans label pant as ‘Nervous 90s’ victim
Soon after his dismissal, social media erupted with reactions. Many fans expressed their disappointment, suggesting that Pant had fallen victim to the ‘nervous 90s’ — a term famously linked to former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Notably, this was the seventh instance in Test cricket where Pant was dismissed in the 90s, placing him among the Indian players most affected by this phenomenon.
Also WATCH: IND vs NZ – Rishabh Pant launches a colossal six off Tim Southee on Day 4 of the first Test
Most Dismissals in 90s in Tests for India:
- 10 – Sachin Tendulkar
- 9 – Rahul Dravid
- 7 – Rishabh Pant
- 5 – Sunil Gavaskar
- 5 – MS Dhoni
- 5 – Virender Sehwag
Here is how fans reacted:
An unfortunate end to a blistering knock from Rishabh Pant.
The #TeamIndia batter departs for 99(105) 👏👏
Live – https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#INDvNZ | @RishabhPant17 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/GqGVNjTTeN
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2024
Some players can neither be measured nor defined by their numbers. #RishabhPant is one of them. Don’t worry about how many 100s he has scored or how many he has missed. Measure him by the impact he has on the game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant is a superhero! Loved by everyone, entertains, gets injured trying to fight, never gives up, does something extraordinary and eventually saves the day. 😂🕸️
Agonisingly short of a 💯, but WHAT A KNOCK! 🫡@RishabhPant17 | #PlayBold #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/PFVi9kLinG
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant has never been out in the 60s, 70s, or 80s. He’s now been out 7 times in the 90s, out of 13 90+ scores.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) October 19, 2024
Nervous 90s again for Rishabh 😭
— Shreyas 🔰 (@Shreyas520) October 19, 2024
Rishabh nervous 90s mein nahi aata, 90s nervousness mein aata hai jab ye batting karta hai
— Harshit Sharma (@Sharmajikaputtr) October 19, 2024
When Pant is in 90s, only the fans are nervous. For Rishabh Pant, it’s more reasons to be adventurous.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) October 19, 2024
If Nervous 90s would be a sport
Mr Rishabh Pant: pic.twitter.com/gZvhsjobNF— Lord shardul Thakur 💛 (@LordShardThakur) October 19, 2024
THAT 1 RUN WILL HEART INDIAN FANS FOREVER 🥲 pic.twitter.com/ejDnWS2eIk
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2024
https://x.com/ChennaiIPL/status/1847578381262401713
Even Sachin didn’t use to get out on these many nervous 90s
Well played🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/aOnzVCKiu4
— Sarcaster 🇮🇳 (@sarcaster_) October 19, 2024
No matter where you are placed, Rishabh Pant keeps all the fielders in the game. Family guy.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant getting out on 99 but never changing his attitude pic.twitter.com/XUqIe6tYPb
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 19, 2024
