Page 44 - The Indian EYE 122923

SPORTS DECEMBER 29, 2023 | The Indian Eye 44

Earlier, a maiden ODI century “Still on recovery to 100 per
by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Sam-
son and a half-century by Tilak Var- cent...”: Rishabh Pant
ma helped India post a competitive
296/8 in the third ODI against South tar Indian wicketkeeper-batter
Africa at Paarl on Thursday. and Delhi Capitals Rishabh
After India’s commanding vic- SPant said that he is still on his
tory in the series-opener, Proteas way to recovering 100 per cent from
turned the tables around and regis- the injuries sustained during a car ac-
tered an 8-wicket win in the second cident last year and he will be fully fit
ODI at Gqeberha, however, Men in hopefully within next few months.
Blue made a stunning comeback in Pant was in Dubai for the Indi-
the series decider to win the third an Premier League (IPL) auction in
and final ODI by 78 runs. Dubai on Tuesday.
This is the second time India “I think [I am] much better
defeated Proteas at their home in a [compared to] what I was doing a
bilateral series before this Men in few months ago. Still on recovery
Blue registered a 5-1 series victory to 100 per cent, but hopefully, in a
over South Africa in 2018. With this few months I will be able to do that.
win, KL Rahul became only the sec- It has been really amazing because
ond Indian captain to win an ODI se- whenever we are playing, we feel no
ries in South Africa after Virat Kohli one loves us. After all, there is always
(2018). pressure and so many things.
Yes, it is a hard time but I came
“Sanju has been to know people love us, respect us

phenomenal...”: KL Rahul and the kind of appreciation and
concern people have shown over a
fter India clinched an ODI while because of my injury,” Pant
series victory against South said in a video posted by his fran-
AAfrica, captain KL Rahul chise on social media, according to
hailed the performance of Player of ESPNCricinfo.
the Match Sanju Samson for his out- Pant also said that the love of
standing century against Proteas and fans and supporters means a lot to
said that he is pleased to see the bat- him as he continues to go towards
ter perform well against Proteas even 100 per cent fitness.
though he hasn’t got a lot of chances “It was heartfelt - crazy for me -
at the top of the batting order. because it means a lot as an individu-
“Sanju has been a phenomenal al when you are going through a very
performer in the IPL, unfortunate- rough time. It is not only physical [re-
ly, hasn’t got a lot of chances at the covery], it is mentally also and if your
top of the order for various reasons supporters and the people support
but nice to see him do well today,” you and love you, it means a lot, and
KL Rahul said in a post-match pre- it really helps in recovery,” he said.
sentation. Rishabh Pant with Axar Patel visiting Tirupati Balaji Temple to offer prayers recently (ANI) The wicketkeeper-batter also
“Always love being around the expressed that he was “lucky to be
boys. Nice to get back on the cricket alive” following the accident. “The
field after a disappointing world cup. Mohit Sharma, with whom he formed en 193 wickets in 186 matches, with kind of accident I had, [I am] lucky to
Have played with a lot of them in the the pace attack duing Cricket World the best figures of 5/18. be alive,” he said.
IPL, nice to get out here and play Cup in 2015. Talking about getting picked by Delhi Capitals expect Pant to be
with them. Usually my message is to Umesh Yadav as sold to Gujarat one-time champion GT, Umesh said fully fit by February end and return
always enjoy the game, to give your Titans (GT) for Rs 5.8 crore after he is excited to work with coach Ash- to the next IPL season as a captain.
best and not worry about the rest. bidding competition with Sunrisers ish Nehra. It is not confirmed though if he will
They’re great cricketers but few of Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL auction “My recent experiences at the return as a wicketkeeper-batter or
them haven’t played internationally in Dubai on Tuesday. auction have been quite bad because a specialist batter. But the franchise
so it’s about giving them some time “It has been quite a while since I went unsold in the first two rounds will be happy to have Pant back in the
to adjust. It’s about making their Shami, Mohit Sharma and me were and was picked only in the third team, leading it and batting.
roles clear and they all gave their part of the 2015 World Cup squad. round in 2022. But I am very happy Because the automobile acci-
100% so nothing more I can ask,” Those memories are coming back. now. The main thing for me was to dent tore ligaments in his right knee,
Rahul added. The way Shami is bowling now, I feel get picked. I know all the teams were Pant was unable to play any cricket
we will have a lot of fun. We have looking out for Indian fast bowlers, in 2023. He has since had his liga-
Will be fun to bowl with Shami, had a partnership with the red ball so I knew I would go somewhere, but ments successfully repaired, and he

Mohit: Umesh and I feel he will be bowling with the to go to a team where Ashish Nehra has been undergoing rehabilitation
new ball. So, we will have to work is the coach is great. at the National Cricket Academy of
ndian pacer Umesh Yadav said on strategies for the middle overs,” I have worked with him previ- the Board of Control for Cricket in
that it will be fun to bowl for Gu- Umesh said on JioCinema. ously and know the way he trains India (BCCI). He has uploaded vid-
Ijarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming Umesh has taken 12 wickets for players and the way he manages the eos in recent months that appear to
Indian Premier League (IPL) with India in nine T20Is. Overall in his atmosphere in the dressing room,” indicate that his recuperation is pro-
teammates Mohammed Shami and short-format career, Umesh has tak- he said. ceeding as expected.

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