ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant's one-handed stunners dismiss Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow

Rishabh Pant took outstanding catches to dismiss Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in the first One Day International between England and India at the Kennington Oval in London on July 12. Pant made a difficult catch look easy courtesy of a great presence of mind that saw him pluck a one-handed stunner to dismiss Stokes.

Stokes’ dismissal came in the third over bowled by senior pacer Mohammed Shami. On the fourth ball, Shami bowled a peach of a delivery to brilliantly set up Stokes who had just come out to bat. The batter attempted to defend the ball that was pitched well outside the off-stump.

However, it turned out to be a wrong move as it took the inside edge of his bat and went to the right of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who showed great awareness to complete a one-handed catch as Stokes walked back for a golden duck.

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Mohammed Shami produced an excellent delivery and Rishabh Pant claimed a brilliant catch to dismiss Ben Stokes.#ENGvIND

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— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) July 12, 2022

Rishabh Pant’s dream day behind the stumps

Pant took yet another one-handed stunner to get rid of a dangerous Jonny Bairstow, who has been on a roll with the bat for the last couple of months. This time, it was pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who made an impact in the wickets column.

Bumrah bowled a length ball outside the off-stump which completely shaped away from the batter after pitching. It left Bairstow in two minds about whether to play or leave the ball and he chose the first option. The Englishman tried to defend it and the ball took the outside edge of his bat.

It first appeared that it would be a regulation catch for the slip fielder. Nonetheless, Pant had other ideas as he dived and completed another one-handed catch as Bairstow’s painstaking knock of seven runs off 20 deliveries came to an end.

While Rishabh Pant’s catch was one of the standout moments from the first innings, Bumrah’s double-wicket over put India on the front foot. In the second over of the innings, he bowled a maiden and took the key wickets of Jason Roy and Joe Root.