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During India’s crucial Super-8 match against Australia in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rishabh Pant’s lapses behind the stumps drew ire from captain Rohit Sharma at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia. Pant’s missed catches and an accidental throw towards Hardik Pandya during Australia’s innings left the wicketkeeper visibly embarrassed as the ball struck Pandya during the intense clash on June 24th.
Hardik Pandya shaken by Rishabh Pant’s misdirected throw in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super-8 thriller against Australia
Rohit Sharma’s frustration was palpable as he witnessed Hardik Pandya in pain, raising concerns for the Indian cricket team during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The incident unfolded during the fourth ball of the final over in India’s Super-8 match against Australia.
Mitchell Starc attempted to guide Pandya’s slower delivery to the offside but missed. Rishabh Pant, behind the stumps, retrieved the ball cleanly and threw it towards the stumps in an attempt to run out Starc. However, the throw narrowly missed the bails and struck Hardik Pandya’s hands, visibly causing him discomfort.
Pandya, clearly displeased, gestured towards Pant, indicating the force of the throw and shaking his hands in response to the impact. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, also displayed frustration over the incident, reflecting the tense moment in the match.
During the match in St. Lucia, another incident saw Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated with Rishabh Pant. In the second innings, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh attempted a pull shot off a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah. The ball spiraled high behind square leg, presenting Pant with an opportunity for a catch.
However, Pant stumbled in his attempt and could only deflect the ball with his gloves, missing what seemed like a straightforward chance. Rohit Sharma reacted audibly to this missed opportunity, while Jasprit Bumrah appeared surprised by the turn of events. Despite these moments, India managed to clinch a 24-run victory over Australia, securing their spot in the semifinals of the tournament.
Nobody will be surprised if Rohit Sharma lifts the trophy: Sreesanth
The Men in Blue will face the defending champions, England, in the second semifinal of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday, June 27, at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. On the other hand, Afghanistan and South Africa will face each other in the first semifinal on the same day at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, former India fast bowler and two-time World Cup winner S. Sreesanth believes that Hardik has the potential to play a role for Team India in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, similar to what Yuvraj Singh did during their victorious 2011 ODI World Cup campaign
Sreesanth said on Star Sports: “The last conference where Rohit Sharma said that Hardik Pandya is a key player in the team. What Yuvraj Singh did in 2011 as an all-rounder, with bat, with ball and his fielding, I think Hardik is very much capable of doing that in this T20 World Cup. I think none of us will be surprised if Rohit lifts the trophy.”
