Rishabh Pant once again provided a good laugh for the cricket fans as his funny question directed at Devdutt Padikkal went viral on social media after Day 4 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle.
India chased down the target set by Sri Lanka with a huge margin of runs after posting a competitive total of 193 in their second innings. Rishabh Pant smashed a well-timed 66, while Padikkal and KL Rahul added 44 and 35 runs respectively. India's bowlers then did a stupendous job to restrict the hosts to 84/4 at stumps.
Rishabh Pant's 'Carrom Ball' Request Steals The Show
Rishabh Pant asking Devdutt Padikkal for a carrom ball is peak stump mic content! ???🎙️
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With India needing just a few more overs before the close, Gill summoned the left-handed opener for the final over of the day as the tail-ender took up the strike.
As Rishabh Pant prepared to walk back to his pavilion, his words were clearly captured on the stump mic as he encouraged Padikkal to try something special.
“Dev, carrom ball yaar, c'mon,” he said, prompting a chuckle from the fans in the commentary box.
Padikkal, however, wasted little time in getting to the business as Sonal Dinusha hit the part-time spinner for a six on the very first ball.
But then came the most crucial part of his over as the part-time bowler held his nerve to concede just a single run in the next five deliveries.
Rishabh Pant, who had earlier scored a crucial 66 to help India post 193 in their second innings, finished with 44 while Rahul remained undefeated on 35 as the visitors built up a healthy lead.
Chasing a mammoth 288, Sri Lanka, at the close of play, were 31/2 with debutant opener Dinusha scoring 25 alongside the experienced de Silva, who remained unbeaten on 31.
With the highest successful run chase at Galle being 344 by Pakistan earlier this year, the task at hand for the hosts seems even more daunting.
Also read: Rishabh Pant Reaches 100 Test Sixes Faster Than Anyone Else in Cricket History
Besides, the visitors have had success in Galle as a chasing team only twice since 1998, with both chases being over 200.
India, with four wickets in hand, should be strong favorites to complete a convincing win at the fortress on Sunday's closing day.