Watch: Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya hit huge sixes in front of packed Cuttack crowd in practice session
India Today
India vs South Africa: Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were seen hitting huge sixes in front of a packed crowd in a practice session ahead of the 2nd T20I in Cuttack.
Stand-in India captain Rishabh Pant and his deputy Hardik Pandya entertained the fully packed Cuttack crowd in the Barabati Stadium with their lusty six-hitting duel during a practice session ahead of the second T20I match against South Africa.
Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was packed to the brim on Saturday as the crowd gave match day feels on a non-match day. Notably, Orissa is hosting its first international cricket match on June 12, since 2019, when India took West Indies on in an ODI.
Match day feels on a non-match day.A packed stadium here in Cuttack to watch #TeamIndia train. #INDvSA | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/lLYwx06Jk3
The crowd could be heard cheering at every shot Pant and Pandya played during their power-hitting training at the practice wickets. Acknowledging the massive crowd at the venue, BCCI tweeted, "Match day feels on a non-match day. A packed stadium here in Cuttack to watch #TeamIndia train. #INDvSA."
Pant, Jammu, and Kashmir pace sensation Umran Malik, and vice-captain Hardik Pandya were among the players practising. BCCI posted another video in which the roar from the crowd was heartening to see.
?? Sound ??Some cracking hits from the Captain and Vice-captain get the crowd going. ?? ??#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @RishabhPant17 | @hardikpandya7 | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/JoRKKzwvpJ
After a seven-wicket loss to South Africa in the first T20I match of the five-match series at home, Team India will be looking forward to leveling the series when they take on the Proteas in the second T20I at Cuttack. On the other hand, South Africa will be looking forward to continuing its good run in India.