Rishabh Pant smashed his maiden hundred in the Indian Premier League, helping Delhi Daredevils overcome a poor start to reach an imposing 187 for five against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.
Pant (128 not out off 63 balls) was unstoppable in his unbeaten knock as he toyed with arguably the best bowling attack in the competition, single-handedly giving a fighting chance to a struggling Delhi side.
His special knock comprising 15 fours and seven sixes also more than made up for his involvement in run-outs of captain Shreyas Iyer (3 off 7) and a set Hasrshal Patel (24 off 17).
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the wicket-keeper batsman’s scintillating knock:
Saw McCullum in 2008..rishab pant innings right up there .. what a knock @bcci.@DelhiDaredevils @ParthJindal11
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) May 10, 2018
Really special innings from Rishabh. Those were not bad balls from Bhuvi in the last over barring the last full toss, but Rishabh Pant is really special and I hope he is nurtured well. #DDvSRH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 10, 2018
One handed sixes and hitting even good balls out of the park. This was as good an innings you will ever see in a T-20 match against the best bowling line up in the IPL, absolutely clean striking. Take a bow, Rishabh Pant #DDvSRH
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 10, 2018
I thought Rishabh Pant twirled his cricket bat around like it was a table-tennis racquet.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 10, 2018
The best inning of the #IPL2018 absolute entertainment, #RishabhPant you beauty ..🏏👏🏼👍🏼#DDvSRH
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 10, 2018
Rishabh Pant belonging to the bottom most team on the points table rips apart the most celebrated bowling attack of this IPL.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 10, 2018
Either IPL is fixed or is just out of this world. #DDvSRH
Rishabh Pant is the most fearless Indian batsman since Virender Sehwag. #DDvSRH
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 10, 2018
Ohho kya mara hai, agar Delhi nahi jeete toh bhi man of the match @RishabPant777 ko hi milna chahiye... Best innings I've seen in a long time... Ek dum Kadak
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) May 10, 2018
Rishabh Pant is the most fearless young batsman I've ever seen - Ian Bishop.. High praise from someone who has played with the likes of Viv, Sachin, Lara etc. @RishabPant777 @irbishi #DDvSRH #IPL2018
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) May 10, 2018
Highest score by an Indian in IPL
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 10, 2018
Rishabh Pant 128* (63) - DD v SRH in 2018
Murali Vijay 127(56) - CSK v RR in 2010
Virender Sehwag - 122(58) - KXIP v CSK@DelhiDaredevils#DDvSRH
Rishabh Pant vs SRH bowlers today:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 10, 2018
v Bhuvi: 11 balls, 43 runs (4 fours, 4 sixes)
v Kaul: 18 balls, 34 runs (5 fours, 1 six)
v Rashid: 13 balls, 27 runs (4 fours, 1 six)
v Shakib: 12 balls, 17 runs (1 four, 1 six)
v Sandeep: 9 balls, 7 runs (1 four)#DDvSRH #SRHvDD #IPL2018
Isn't it time Rishabh Pant plays for Team India? Can be groomed for the post-Dhoni era given he's a wicketkeeper too.
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) May 10, 2018
In a sense, this #RishabhPant innings summaries the attitude of the next generation. Play without fear was the mantra! #WOW #IPL2018 #DD @DelhiDaredevils
— RK (@RK_sports) May 10, 2018
Rishabh Pant facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar #DDvSRH pic.twitter.com/JO6MKK5asO
— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) May 10, 2018