During the second ODI between South Africa and India, a moment involving India captain KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant grabbed everyone’s attention. The duo got indulged in a terrible mix-up, and South Africa missed out on the run-out opportunity.
It all happened in the 15th over of India’s innings bowled by Keshav Maharaj when Pant tapped the ball to midwicket and called for a single. Rahul responded positively to Pant’s call, but suddenly the striker decided to return in his crease.
Rahul, who had immediately sprinted from the other end, saw himself standing at the same end as Pant. It appeared that Rahul had given up on his wicket, but he received a massive reprieve as the Proteas failed to cash in the opportunity to run out the Indian skipper.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who collected the ball at midwicket, threw the white leather at the bowler’s end. However, Maharaj couldn’t grab the ball, and it raced towards deep cover, giving Rahul the golden opportunity to run back to the non-striker’s end.
Here is the video:
https://twitter.com/BenaamBaadshah4/status/1484470216176271368
Notably, India were 70/2 at that moment, with Pant and Rahul having added just six runs after the dismissals of opener Shikhar Dhawan and former skipper Virat Kohli. Although, the pair made the most of the chance they got by forming a much-needed 115 runs partnership for the third wicket.
While Rahul was dismissed at 55 by pacer Sisanda Magala, Pant ended up as the top-scorer with 85 off 71 deliveries, before Tabraiz Shamsi got rid of him.
Shardul Thakur (40 no), Ravichandran Ashwin (25) and Venkatesh Iyer (22) chipped in with valuable contributions down the order to help the tourists post 287/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
