**Tough Day for Young Indians as Pant and Rahane Struggle in Kolkata’s Stronghold**
Kolkata, April 24 – Just days after returning from the UAE tour, the young India all-rounder Rishabh Pant continues to face significant challenges against the formidable bowling attack in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Facing arguably his toughest assignment of the tournament so far in his home stadium against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Pant found himself frequently on the defensive during his gritty but largely unspectacular knock. His determined defense often looked laboured, suggesting the ghosts of his recent international bowling dismissals might still be lingering in the crease. Particularly recalling the uncomfortable figures of 0/48 against Pakistan, the asking rate on his terms continued to climb, placing immense pressure on the young Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper.
Rishabh Pant’s partnership attempt with his fellow India all-rounder Kuldeep Yadav hinted strongly at a strategy to root out the unwanted middle order Durham batsman Marcus Stoinis, who was yet to open his account with the RCB innings. However, the difficult nature of his own stays ensured this brief middle-wicket stand lasted barely a few deliveries, a stark contrast to his much-lauded stroke-filled knocks witnessed down under. While his focus appeared directed towards survival and facilitating a partnership for his lower-order counterpart, the inherent pressure of the situation made his attempts to resurrect his luck feel more like a test of nerve than a rekindling of knockout form.
Adding to DC’s anxious wait, big hits did finally ignite through the innings once the early wickets started falling. The misdirected shots from the dangerous AB de Villiers threatened to inject momentum back into RCB’s powerful middle overs, cheered on by a vociferous RCB support base. Yet, crucial containment was provided by a familiar face guiding from the stands – Rahul Dravid, still smarting from his own inauspicious start up top for the Super Giants.
DU Pothiere and then Marcus Stoinis had earlier claimed the Dutch campaigner Faf du Plessis cheaply, falling early and cheaply. This ensured that when Pant found himself at the crease, the RCB required solid contributions from the lower order to restrict the DC total or even chase down a modest target. The scoreboard showed Rishabh Pant with 15 runs from 43 balls, a statistic that mirrored the batting struggles faced by several promising young Indian talents in this very Chennai match, before Rishabh Pant – returning from injury in the UAE series – decided it was time to step out and complete his half-century, raising his score to 18 just before tea.
With a crucial wicket in hand against DC, RCB looked poised to construct a challenging total for captain Faf du Plessis’s side. However, instead of endorsing Rishabh Pant’s increasingly positive strokeplay, RCB bomber AB de Villiers opted for direct hitting into the deep with his opening over, specifically targeting the often predictable drives from number three, Faf du Plessis. This strategic jolt might just increase the existing pressure further for the young Pant, as the question on everyone’s lips continues to resonate powerfully: Can he translate his controlled defense into valuable, forward-reaching runs, not just at home, but on the bigger stage against world-class opposition?
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