Rishabh Pant Shines with Helicopter Shot in T20I Against Sri Lanka

In an electrifying display of batting, Rishabh Pant showcased his skills with a stunning helicopter shot during the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka's captain Charith Asalanka faced a formidable Indian lineup, which saw Pant preferred over Sanju Samson. The memorable moment unfolded in the 16th over, bowled by Asitha Fernando, who misjudged his delivery, allowing Pant to unleash his signature shot, sending the ball soaring into the crowd. The Indian innings began with a strong foundation laid by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who amassed a rapid 74-run partnership within just six overs. Their aggressive approach set the tone for the innings, but their dismissals came in quick succession, leading to Suryakumar Yadav and Pant stepping up to stabilize the innings. Yadav, in particular, was relentless, contributing significantly to the team's total before being dismissed for 58, breaking a 76-run partnership with Pant. Despite the promising start, the Indian middle order struggled to maintain momentum, with Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh failing to capitalize on the strong foundation. Pant, however, continued to impress, scoring 49 runs off 33 balls. Ultimately, India concluded their innings with a competitive total of 213 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs, setting a challenging target for the hosts.