In a commanding display on Day 3 of the first Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Rishabh Pant stole the spotlight with both his batting and his cheeky on-field antics. The wicketkeeper-batter, who made his Test comeback in this series after a lengthy injury layoff, played a key role in guiding India to a dominant position with a 138-run partnership alongside Shubman Gill. However, it was his interaction with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto that grabbed headlines for its echoes of MS Dhoni’s legendary on-field shrewdness.
Pant, known for his exuberant personality, was spotted advising Shanto on Bangladesh’s field placements during India’s second innings. With India comfortably ahead and Pant eyeing a big score, he pointed to a vacant area on the leg side and quipped, “Arey idhar aayega ek. Idhar kam fielder hai” (Hey, put a fielder here. There aren’t many fielders here). Amusingly, Shanto took the suggestion seriously and positioned a fielder in midwicket as Pant suggested.
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This moment was reminiscent of a similar incident involving former India captain MS Dhoni during the 2019 ODI World Cup, where Dhoni advised Bangladesh’s Sabbir Rahman to move a fielder during a match, and the suggestion was taken on board. Dhoni’s situational awareness and clever tactics have long been celebrated, and Pant’s antics on Saturday drew comparisons to the former captain’s strategic mind.
India Dominates Day 3
As the match progressed, India continued to assert their dominance. At lunch on Day 3, the hosts had reached 205 for 3, stretching their overall lead to a massive 432 runs. Shubman Gill, who had started the day cautiously, picked up the pace and was unbeaten on 86 at the interval. Pant, meanwhile, was not far behind, batting on 82. The two batsmen capitalized on Bangladesh’s poor fielding, with the visitors dropping two crucial catches that could have shifted the momentum.
Earlier in the match, India’s first-innings total of 376 gave them a strong foothold, thanks to contributions from Rohit Sharma (72) and Ajinkya Rahane (94). Bangladesh’s response, however, was lackluster, as they collapsed to 149 all out, with only Shakib Al Hasan (32) providing some resistance. Jasprit Bumrah was the star with the ball, taking 4 for 50, while Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with two wickets each.
Pant’s unbeaten knock was his first Test fifty in nearly two years, marking a significant milestone in his return from the near-fatal accident he suffered in December 2022. His last half-century came in the 2022 Test series against Bangladesh, and this innings will be a confidence booster as he eyes a bigger score.
Bangladesh’s Fielding Woes
Bangladesh’s fielding came under heavy criticism during the day’s play, with former India head coach Ravi Shastri and Bangladesh‘s own Tamim Iqbal lambasting the team for their lack of intent. Two dropped chances early in the session allowed Pant and Gill to settle in and build a formidable partnership. The poor fielding display compounded Bangladesh’s problems, as they had already been struggling with the bat and ball.
Bangladesh’s captain Shanto seemed visibly frustrated as his bowlers failed to break through India’s batting lineup, despite getting some early movement off the pitch. The team’s bowling strategy was questioned by commentators, with the field placements often failing to contain India’s aggressive batsmen.
Pant’s Tactical Influence
Pant’s decision to advise on the field placements added a humorous twist to an otherwise one-sided day of cricket. His sharp reading of the game not only highlighted his growing maturity but also reflected the influence of MS Dhoni, under whom Pant played early in his international career.
In addition to his batting prowess, Pant’s wicketkeeping skills have also improved since his return, with his ability to read the game from behind the stumps drawing praise from cricketing pundits.
India’s Push for Victory
With an overall lead of 400 runs, India is firmly in the driver’s seat heading into the final days of the Test. Bangladesh faces a herculean task to save the match, as they will likely be set a massive target to chase in their second innings. India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja, are expected to make light work of Bangladesh’s fragile batting lineup once again.
The match also marks a significant moment for Pant, who has successfully returned to Test cricket after a long hiatus. His aggressive style of play and confident shot-making are expected to keep India in a strong position, with a potential declaration looming if the batsmen continue to pile on the runs.
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