"Babar Azam 3.0" - Fans lash out at Rishabh Pant following his 32-ball 35-run knock in the inaugural DPLT20 game

Fans were unhappy with the Purani Dilli 6 captain Rishabh Pant's 32-ball 35-run knock against South Delhi Superstarz in the Delhi Premier League T20 on Saturday, August 17. The southpaw smashed four fours and a six in the season opener at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Despite Pant's sedate knock, Purani Dilli 6 posted 197 runs batting first.

Here's a look at some noteworthy reactions on X following Rishabh Pant's knock:

"Pant! Babar Azam 3.0," one fan wrote

"Captain, Purani Delhi-6 & India's main wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant scored 35 runs on 32 (lowest strike rate of the inning) balls in a state (District?) league-Delhi Premier League. @TukTuk_Academy will be happy, wherever they are tonight," another fan expressed

"Mr Pant scored 35 runs from 32 balls in DPL, he played a 'selfless' innings, I am sure selectors will award him by making him the first choice wicket keeper," another fan posted

"Pant looking absolutely clueless against the spinners," a fan vented out

"Sad reality He was beast in t20s but now really feels he's not made for this format!" another fan wrote

"Rishabh leaving first ball in T20 I have seen everything now," a fan expressed

The men's competition of the 2024 Delhi Premier League comprises six teams - Purani Dilli 6, South Delhi Superstarz, East Delhi Riders, West Delhi Lions, Central Delhi Kings, and North Delhi Strikers. A total of 33 matches will be played across the season with all the games scheduled to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

---

Rishabh Pant's Purani Delhi 6 suffer defeat despite posting a challenging total

South Delhi Superstarz skipper Ayush Badoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. Put into bat, the Purani Delhi 6 lost opener Manjeet in the last ball of the third over. Powered by Arpit Rana's half-century and Vansh Bedi's unbeaten cameo towards the end of the innings, Rishabh Pant's men posted a challenging total of 197 runs at the loss of just three wickets in their 20 overs.

In reply, the South Delhi Superstarz got off to a flyer, adding 87 runs for the first wicket in just 6.5 overs. However, the Ayush Badoni-led team lost six wickets for just 31 runs. Nevertheless, they eventually registered a three-wicket win with five balls to spare.