 "Rishabh Pant hugs West Indian batting legend Viv Richards in the dressing room following India's victory over Bangladesh in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash in Antigua. Image credit: Screengrab of video posted on bcci.tv")
Team India’s newly-established ceremony of awarding the ‘Best Fielder’ medal had a celebrated guest on Saturday after their victory over Bangladesh in Antigua with West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards making a special appearance.
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Richards, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time, was present at the stadium named after him on Saturday to witness India virtually book their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a thumping 50-run victory over Bangladesh.
He also made it a point after the match to pay a quick visit to the Indian dressing room, where he was welcomed with a round of applause and cheers from the Rohit Sharma-led squad, in order to hand out the award to the best fielder, the practice of which began in last year’s ODI World Cup.
Read | Five top moments and videos from India’s victory over Bangladesh in Antigua
Not only did Richards put the medal around SKY’s neck, he also made special mention of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for making a brave comeback to international cricket after surviving a deadly accident.
“Pant, it’s great to see you back man. What you would have been through, we would have missed that great talent and exactly what you have to offer in the future,” Richards told the wicketkeeper during his dressing room speech. Viv additionally hailed him as the ‘Pocket Rocket’ after Pant walked up to him for a hug after his address.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsRichards, who was part of West Indies’ triumphs in the 1975 and 1979 ODI World Cups under Clive Lloyd’s leadership, added that he would be cheering for Team India if the Rovman Powell-led ‘Men in Maroon’ failed to win the trophy.
“What can I say to a team that so already powerful man. You have a good thing going here, and I can only say this that if the guys in maroon doesn’t get it done, I’ll be backing you,” Richards said, eliciting a loud cheer from the Indians.
“Is that okay? That sound reasonable enough as a Caribbean person?” he added.
Scenarios | Have India qualified for T20 World Cup semis after beating Bangladesh?
India currently are unbeaten in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, winning all three Group A fixtures in New York with the fourth one in Lauderhill getting washed out. The 2007 T20 world champions would then defeat Afghanistan in Bangladesh in a space of three days after shifting base to the Caribbean for the Super 8s.
A victory over 2021 champions Australia will not only confirm their place in the semis, it will also help them top Group 1 in the second round, which could help them advance to the final if their knockout clash ends up getting washed out.