NEW DELHI: The New York
pitch
that was 'bordering on dangerous' and saw India pacers wreak havoc, swashbuckling
Rishabh Pant
produced his trademark reverse scoop shot, leaving everyone amazed.
Pulling off a miraculous shot off pacer Barry McCarthy as Pant hit the winning six, the internet was delighted to see the ‘keeper-batter at his absolute best.
Amid wide criticism of the pitch that marred India's opener and was referred to as 'witch' by commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu, a carefree and fearless Pant executed his reverse scoop to perfection, drawing him appreciation from the legends of the game and fans.
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan and others tore into the Nassau Stadium pitch, calling it a 'sub-standard surface'.
"Trying to sell the game in the states is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable…You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this," Vaughan wrote.
Former Zimbabwe skipper Andy Flower also labelled the surface 'bordering on dangerous' on ESPNCricinfo.
In the lop-sided contest, skipper
Rohit Sharma
made 52 before retiring hurt as India overwhelmed Ireland by 8 wickets in the teams' opener to grab two points.
Pant, on the other hand scored an unbeaten 36 and took India across the finish line in the 13th over.
India only required 97 to win after a dominant display by their attack, with left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh striking twice in the third over to reduce Ireland to 9-2 after Rohit won the toss.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya took two wickets in two balls on his way to 3-27 and Jasprit Bumrah, the player of the match, 2-6.
India next face Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday.
English (US) ·