Rishabh Pant entertains with football-style kick during India warm-up win

In a preparatory fixture in Colombo, India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant turned heads by kicking away wide deliveries instead of using his bat, a move that quickly went viral on social platforms. The left-hander began his innings with a patient 21-ball stand, prompting curiosity from head coach Gautam Gambhir. Once settled, Pant unleashed his aggressive style, launching three massive sixes against bowlers Keshav Nuwanta and Dilum Sudheera.

When Sudheera altered his line to bowl outside leg stump, Pant responded with the football-like kicks, eliciting laughter from the crowd. The Indian side chased down the target with six wickets in hand, gaining valuable practice before the first Test in Galle on August 15, followed by a second Test in Colombo on August 23.